London shop thefts soar by 19% in a year, shock new figures show

"We are having real success tackling the crimes that terrorise communities. But the crimes that tear at the fabric of communities, like shop theft and shop robbery, continue to rise and we must do more. That is why we are putting 13,000 more neighbourhood officers on the beat, and have invested 2 billion more in forces across the country since we took office."

"The capital's other force, City of London Police, had a further 1,453, down five per cent from 1,536 in September 2004. Last year, Scotland Yard launched its largest ever targeted crackdown on organised shoplifting gangs in London. Officers raided more than 120 shops suspected of buying items stolen from major retailers and reselling them at discounted prices. Thirty-two suspects were arrested for various offences and items worth hundreds of thousands seized."

"Under major policing reforms announced on Monday, counter-terror, fraud and criminal gang investigations are set to be taken over by a new national police force dubbed the British FBI. Mahmood believes it will lift the burden on forces who are believed to be diverting time and resources away from everyday policing against shoplifting and antisocial behaviour to deal with UK-wide issues."

Shoplifting across London increased 19% in a year to 95,302 offences in the 12 months to September 2025, while City of London Police recorded 1,453 shoplifting incidents, down five per cent from 1,536. Scotland Yard conducted its largest targeted crackdown on organised shoplifting gangs, raiding over 120 shops, arresting 32 suspects and seizing items worth hundreds of thousands. The Home Secretary announced 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers and 2 billion more invested in forces to tackle rising shop theft and robbery. Office for National Statistics figures show police-recorded homicides in England and Wales fell to their lowest level in over 40 years, driven by reduced knife crime. London recorded 97 homicides last year, down 11% from 109 in 2024. Major policing reforms will transfer counter-terror, fraud and gang investigations to a new national force dubbed the British FBI to free local forces for everyday policing.

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