Around 500 of the worst retail crime offenders in the country will face tougher restrictions under a new crackdown launched by the Home Secretary today (Nov 11).
A targeted programme will see up to 18 police forces target the repeat offenders in their area who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of shop theft. The police will intensify their efforts against this group to stop their offending once and for all.
Police, probation and other partners will work from a single personalised plan to get a better handle on the right approach for each individual case – for example building stronger cases for the courts, bringing together evidence of multiple offences – to ensure this cohort face real consequences.
Offenders will face tougher restrictions and more coordinated management, including more effective use of Criminal Behaviour Orders, which can ban repeat offenders from high streets and town centres.
Other measures could include closer monitoring of perpetrators through Intensive Supervision Courts, which subjects them to more regular hearings in front of a judge, as well as tagging where appropriate. Those who don’t comply or breach conditions can face further enforcement action - including imprisonment in the most serious cases.
Immigration enforcement will also be brought in where relevant, to ensure the breadth of powers available when dealing with foreign national offenders is utilised more quickly.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "A small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of shop theft. They wreak havoc on our high streets, leave businesses out of pocket and make retail workers scared to go to work.
"Under this Government, shop theft is starting to fall, and more offenders are getting charged. But now we are going further by targeting those who are causing so much harm to our communities and stopping them in their tracks.”
According to Met Police data, Operation Kelleher, a targeted crackdown in Bromley in 2025, slashed recorded retail crime by 70%. Some shops reported stock losses down by as much as 80%.
The operation homed in on just 10 offenders responsible for a significant amount of retail crime across the borough, leading to arrests and charges, with Criminal Behaviour Orders secured against several offenders. One shop saw its weekly losses fall from £7,000 to just £400.
Alongside the enforcement crackdown, offenders will be subject to court-ordered requirements. As well as being tough on crime, the Home Office states that this pilot will be tough on the causes of crime, tackling the drivers of offending – like drug and alcohol addiction – to break the cycle. An extra £2.5 million in overall funding will be available to support participating forces and local partners, which will be tailored to what is needed in each area.
Activity is due to start in stages from early next year, with the aim to mobilise across all areas by spring.