Crime statistics show alarming growth in shoplifting in Scotland
After recent statistics from the Recorded Crime in Scotland survey showed shoplifting up by 20% in the country in the year to June 2026, the deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium has had his say.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell called for more powers to be granted to the Retail Crime Taskforce, as the data shows that shoplifting has almost doubled if looked at over a three year period.
“Thieving from stores has skyrocketed in recent years with over a thousand incidents a week being recorded by police,” MacDonald-Russell said. “This is despite record spending by shopkeepers on crime prevention.
“To stem and reverse the rise in thefts, abuse, and anti-social behaviour, government funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce should be enhanced to extend the Taskforce’s reach and number of hotspots targeted.”
He did highlight that not all of the increases in reported shoplifting were necessarily attributable to higher volumes of incidents. “Some of the increase of late will be as a consequence of the new shoplifting reporting tool and improved response to incidents from the police following the creation last year of Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce.
“This doesn’t obviate the need for more action, especially as thefts are a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards store workers.”
