London, England – Shoplifters in England have been given a green light to continue their crimes, according to opposition politicians in the country. The issue has reached a critical point, with unsolved shoplifting cases hitting a five-year high, leading to what many are calling a “crime epidemic”.
The Liberal Democrats claim that organised gangs are being “let off the hook,” after analyzing data from the Home Office which showed over 200,000 reports of shoplifting went unsolved in the year ending July 2023. This equates to 560 cases per day.
According to the research, the number of unsolved shoplifting cases has increased by a third since the previous year, reaching its highest point in five years. A separate study by the Labour Party showed that only 1 in 200 crimes was solved by the police over the last 12 months.
This surge in shoplifting cases has led to concerns that the offense has been effectively decriminalized, as the police force struggles to keep up with investigations. As a result, shop owners have turned to private security measures to protect their businesses.
The opposition claims that the government has failed to effectively address the growing crime epidemic, particularly with the reduction of community support officers since 2015. In the last year, only 15% of shoplifting cases resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed, down from 19% in 2019.
The situation has raised concerns among politicians and retailers, calling for urgent action to address the escalating issue of unsolved shoplifting cases. As the debate continues, the impact on communities and small businesses remains at the forefront of the discussion, with demands for more effective measures and resources to combat the rise in crime.