Retail crime ‘running riot’, warns Labour as shoplifting and assaults rise

Retail crime is “running riot” as shoplifting and assaults on staff have risen in the past year, Scottish Labour has said.

Scottish Government figures published on Tuesday showed the number of shoplifting crimes recorded by police rose 19% in 2025-26.

There has also been an increase in the number of assaults on retail workers, rising by 10% in a year.

The number of assaults on retail workers which caused an injury has increased by 18%.

Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said the SNP must “wake up to this growing crisis”.

She said: “Retail crime is running riot in Scotland, putting workers at risk and leaving businesses out of pocket.

“The Retail Crime Taskforce has a role to play, but these damning figures show it is no silver bullet.

“The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and deliver real action to protect shopworkers and tackle shoplifting.

“Too often police are stuck waiting around in court and A&E waiting rooms instead of being out in our communities.

“We need a real plan to strengthen policing, support businesses and improve community safety.”

The Government’s Retail Crime Taskforce was set up in April 2025 to tackle the rise in retail-related crime as shoplifting has increased 86% over the last decade.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, described the impact rising crime is having on shopkeepers.

“The spiralling increase of violence and shop theft is causing misery for Scottish shopkeepers and customers,” he said.

“More than eight times a day Scottish shopworkers are being assaulted, with at least one of those attacks causing injury.

“Despite hundreds of millions of pounds on investment in security from retailers, this unacceptable behaviour continues and must be tackled.

“Shop theft continues to be an epidemic with hundreds of incidents a day. Thieving from stores isn’t a victimless crime. It’s a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards shop workers, and we know from member feedback that thieves are becoming bolder and more aggressive.

“We estimate the cost of shop theft was £50 million in Scotland last year – an enormous burden. That cost is paid for through higher prices and a worse shopping experience, which undermines the health and vitality of our high streets.

“These figures highlight the scale of criminality affecting Scotland’s shops.

“However, it’s worth noting some of the increase is a consequence of the increased police response following the creation of the Retail Crime Taskforce.

“Retailers are starting to increase reporting in the hope Police Scotland will be able to respond more effectively than in the past.

“So while this rise may not mark an increase in crime rather just in the reporting of crime, that doesn’t obviate the need for more action.”

Community safety minister Kirsten Oswald said: “Retail crime causes significant disruption and we are concerned by the recent rise in this crime as other areas of crime falls.

“That is why we have provided an additional £3 million a year to Police Scotland to establish and maintain the Retail Crime Taskforce.

“Through its four-strand approach – prevent, pursue, protect and prepare – the taskforce is delivering real results, targeting repeat offenders using data and intelligence to drive proactive enforcement in the most affected areas.

“In its first year, it has resulted in over 6,400 charges, with the detection rate rising to just under 51%.

“I abhor any violence against shop workers and we support police and prosecutors to use our laws to hold those responsible to account. I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses retail crime or violence to report it to Police Scotland.”

Published: 28/06/2026 by Radio NewsHub