Shoplifting incidents in Scotland have more than doubled since the pandemic, from 20,557 to 44,730 cases recorded last year, according to Police Scotland data.
The ‘clear-up’ rate for shoplifting has fallen every year over the past 10 years from 74.6% in 2014/5 to 49% in 2024/5, an overall decrease of over one-third.
Since the Protection of Workers Act 2021 came into effect in 2021, there have been 7,861 police recorded incidents of common assault of a retail worker.
Retail trade union Usdaw said it is concerned by the “continued growing trend” of shoplifting incidents. While the union praised the “effective” Protection of Workers Act, it has called for greater priority to be given to retail crime.
Its latest survey of 1,011 Scottish retail employees found 70% of respondents had experienced verbal abuse in the last twelve months. Almost half had been threatened by a customer and 8% had been assaulted.
The cost of retail crime per store in Scotland increased by 62% to £19.657 last year, according to The Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s Crime Report 2025. Amounting to £102.7m across the Scottish convenience sector.
“Scottish retail workers suffer far too many incidents of violence, abuse and threats. No one should feel afraid to go to work, but far too many retail workers are,” said Tony Doonan, Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland.
“The scale of the epidemic of retail crime is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics. It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order. This is in no way a victimless crime, with weapons and violence used to ensure these criminals are not stopped. Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.
“We continue to work with retailers, the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to help ensure that legislation is fully utilised so that all retail workers receive the protection and respect they deserve.”
Back in April, Police Scotland launched a dedicated unit to tackle retail crime following £3m funding from the Scottish Government.
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