Just 104 shoplifters behind thousands of offences

Fast-track trials for shoplifters have been called for by the Metropolitan Police as the force revealed 104 repeat offenders were responsible for more than 5,300 crimes over the past two years.

Each of the 104 broke the law at least 31 times before they were jailed, and the shoplifting offences made up around a third of cases in London where a suspect has been identified.

All but three of the criminals continued offending after they had been charged.

The Met, British Retail Consortium and Retail Trust have jointly written to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to call for fast-track courts so repeat offenders appear within 72 hours of charge.

They also want a clearer escalation system for people who keep breaching criminal behaviour orders, and more consistent enforcement of the orders.

'Little meaningful consequence'

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said neighbourhood officers were using new technology to quickly identify and arrest "the small number of offenders responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime".

Twist added: "Working hand-in-hand with retailers and sharing evidence has been crucial in building strong cases and securing charges.

"We are still seeing the same individuals come back again and again - that shows the system needs to change."

Helen Dickinson, from the British Retail Consortium, said "too many offenders still face little meaningful consequence".

According to figures from the Met's crime data website, in the year to May 2025, 6,939 shoplifting cases out of 101,924 (6.8%) were recorded as having had a positive outcome.

This includes a charge or summons, a caution, the offender dying, a penalty notice or cannabis warning being issued, a community resolution or where the offence is taken into account with other crimes.

In the year to May 2026, 14,347 offences out of a total of 100,264 had a positive outcome, 14.3%.

A government spokesperson said: "We know that shoplifting devastates high streets and hollows out businesses.

"That's why we're taking tough action to turn the tide on the epidemic of shop theft. Charge volumes are up 17%, we're speeding up court delays and scrapping the so-called £200 'licence to steal' so that shoplifters can be prosecuted."