Private Police Report Success in Prosecution of Shoplifters Amid Rise in Retail Crime

The police lacks resources to effectively deal with retail crime, according to the founder of a private investigation company operating in London.

Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp (2L) hosts senior figures in policing and 13 of the UK’s biggest retailers in Downing Street to set out a joint plan of action to tackle shoplifting, in London, on Oct. 23, 2023. Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

A private police force has reported a 100 percent conviction rate in prosecution of 300 shoplifting cases, amid a rise in retail theft in England and Wales.

Shoplifting offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales have gone up by a quarter in the past year.