Something is being added to every basket in Britain, but it isn’t food and it’s tied to a daily dread most people never notice.
Cost of crime to retail sector (Image: Getty Images)
Britain’s out-of-control shoplifting epidemic is putting an 11p ‘crime tax’ on every single transaction that takes place across the UK’s network of local shops. That means the crime-wave is exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis as desperate retailers are being forced to take expensive security measures to protect their livelihoods. The 2026 Association of Convenience Stores Crime Report reveals that taken together, the cost of crime and the cost of investing in crime prevention puts 11p on the millions of transactions people make every day.
This record investment by 50,000 retailers who make up the sector in crime prevention and detection measures has however led to a small year-on-year fall in the number of shop theft incidents recorded in the convenience sector. The annual report, released today, shows that over the last year there have been 5.8 million incidents of shop theft recorded by retailers, along with just over 950,000 incidents of verbal abuse.
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This compares to 6.2 million incidents of theft and 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse in the 2025 report. The fall comes as convenience retailers spent a staggering £313m in crime prevention and detection measures, investing in areas like CCTV, security tagging, protective screens, facial recognition and AI store monitoring to keep their stock secure and their colleagues safe.
A male shoplifter stealing some expensive gourmet cheese (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
They are also seeing more reporting of crime, with 64% of retailers stating they are reporting more crime to the police than last year. Previously many have not bothered reporting claiming police would not even respond – however pressure on forces – led by the Express’ Stop The Shoplifters crusade – has seen an improvement in police attendance. Our campaign demands police attend all reported incidents.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Convenience stores are doing everything they can to keep their colleagues and customers safe, investing in defensive measures to protect their businesses.
teenage girl shoplifting (Image: Getty Images)
“The latest numbers on theft and abuse are moving slowly in the right direction, but still represent a daily battle for thousands of local shops against hardened criminals and organised gangs that are brazenly clearing entire shelves and targeting high value products to sell on elsewhere.
“Recent efforts from the Government and the police to tackle retail crime on our high streets and in our town centres are welcome, along with an increased police presence that makes the biggest difference to how safe people feel in their communities. We must continue this momentum when the Crime and Policing Bill comes into force and send a clear message that together, retailers, the police and the justice system will not tolerate theft.”
Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said: “I’m pleased this report shows the progress the government is making to tackle shop theft. Working alongside partners like ACS, charges are now up by 21%”
“But we can’t be complacent. That’s why we are giving police the powers they need to crack down on perpetrators, including making it a specific offence to assault retail workers and scrapping the £200 rule that lets too many offenders off the hook.
“An additional 3,000 neighbourhood officers will be in place by Spring. We will also deliver major policing reforms which will see a National Police Service take on national responsibilities, so local forces can focus on local crime like shop theft.”
For the first time this year, the Crime Report highlights the damaging impact of the illicit trade in goods like tobacco, alcohol, vapes and electricals. 85% of retailers say that the sale of illicit products has increased around their business, and one in four say they have noticed products stolen from their store being resold locally.
The top three products currently targeted by thieves are alcohol, confectionery and meat
Meanwhile 61% of retailers believe that anti-social behaviour in or around their store has increased over the past year and 52% of retailers believe incidents involving organised crime groups have increased over the past year.