The North East of England is the epicentre of the UK's shoplifting crisis while meat and alcohol continue to remain top shoplifted items, states a recent report, also shedding the light on criminal supply chain that keeps the shoplifters thriving.
According to detailed report by Get Licensed, North East of England has a rate of 11.5 shoplifting offences per 1,000 people, a figure that stands 35 per cent above the national average.
This concentration of retail crime in the North East reflects a complex interplay of factors, including economic deprivation, urban density, and the presence of organised criminal networks that have identified the region as a profitable area for retail crime operations.
Within the North East, Cleveland stands out as the most severely affected jurisdiction in the entire country. Official statistics show Cleveland experiencing 13.1 shoplifting crimes per 1,000 people, representing nearly four times the rate recorded in the safest areas of Wales.
This extraordinary concentration highlights the extreme localisation of retail crime in certain areas and the challenges facing law enforcement in these hotspot regions.
The data also reveals a clear north-south divide in shoplifting rates, with northern regions experiencing significantly higher levels of retail crime. This pattern aligns with broader socioeconomic indicators and suggests that targeted interventions addressing underlying economic conditions may be necessary to achieve sustainable reductions in retail crime.
Analysis of shoplifting rates by police force area provides even more granular insights into the geography of retail crime. The most severely affected areas include:
Highest Risk Areas:
- Nottinghamshire: 13.2 crimes per 1,000 people
- Cleveland: 4.3 crimes per 1,000 people
- Durham: 11.1 crimes per 1,000 people
- Northumbria: 10.4 crimes per 1,000 people
- Sussex: 10.4 crimes per 1,000 people
Lowest Risk Areas:
- Dyfed-Powys (Wales): 3.9 crimes per 1,000 people
- Devon and Cornwall: 4.3 crimes per 1,000 people
- Cumbria: 4.5 crimes per 1,000 people
- Suffolk: 4.6 crimes per 1,000 people
- Surrey: 4.6 crimes per 1,000 people
The contrast between the highest and lowest crime areas is stark, with Nottinghamshire experiencing more than three times the shoplifting rate of Dyfed-Powys. This variation underscores the importance of localised approaches to retail crime prevention and the need for specialised security training that addresses the specific challenges faced in different regions.
The regional variations in shoplifting rates translate into significant economic disparities in the impact of retail crime. The Metropolitan Police area alone documented over £15 million in stolen goods and money during 2023, while West Yorkshire saw over £2 million worth of thefts.
These figures from just two police areas illustrate the scale of direct losses being experienced across the country and suggest that the national total for stolen merchandise alone may be substantially higher than previously estimated.
Most stolen items
Premium meat products consistently top the lists of most stolen items across multiple retail formats, reflecting both their high value and the existence of sophisticated resale networks that can quickly move stolen food products into legitimate-appearing sales channels.
The Association of Convenience Stores identifies meat as the single most commonly stolen category, with premium cuts such as steak, lamb, and speciality bacon products being particularly targeted.
The appeal of meat products to organised criminal groups lies not only in their high unit value but also in the ready market provided by small restaurants, cafés, and independent food retailers who may be willing to purchase supplies at below-market prices without asking too many questions about their provenance.
Alcohol, especially high-end spirits and wines, represents one of the most frequently stolen categories, with theft of alcoholic beverages accounting for over 22% of all retail thefts in 2022, according to the Association of Convenience Stores.
The high resale value of premium alcohol products, combined with their ready market through bars, clubs, and private sales networks, makes them particularly attractive to both opportunistic thieves and organised criminal groups.
Confectionery, baby formula, cheese, baby products, tobacco and toiletries are some of the items targeted by shoplifters the most.
The Criminal Supply Chain
The Get Licensed report adds that the existence of established resale networks for stolen goods represents one of the most challenging aspects of modern retail crime. The components of this criminal supply chain include:
Independent retailers willing to purchase goods without proper documentation, often in economically disadvantaged areas where legitimate wholesale prices may be prohibitive. These businesses provide a crucial link between theft and final sale, legitimising stolen goods through their retail operations.
Online platforms that facilitate the sale of stolen goods through established e-commerce channels. Social media marketplaces have become particularly important for this trade, with stolen goods often sold as "unwanted gifts" or "surplus stock" to avoid suspicion.
Informal distribution systems that can move products through communities without detection. These networks often operate through personal relationships and word-of-mouth advertising, making them difficult for law enforcement to penetrate or disrupt.
Restaurants and food service establishments that purchase stolen food products at below-market prices. The food service industry's reliance on cash transactions and informal supplier relationships creates opportunities for stolen goods to enter the legitimate food supply chain.
The concentration of retail crime in specific regions creates additional challenges for retailers operating in multiple locations. Companies must allocate disproportionate security resources to high-risk areas while maintaining viable operations in regions where crime rates make normal retail operations increasingly difficult.
This geographic inequality in crime rates thus contributes to broader patterns of economic inequality and regional development challenges.