Law & Justice

Data Reveals Small Group of Repeat Offenders Behind Thousands of Shoplifting Crimes in England

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

A small number of prolific shoplifters are responsible for a disproportionate share of theft offences recorded by police forces across England, according to figures gathered by the BBC. Twenty-seven police forces provided data on the 10 suspects most frequently linked to shoplifting in their areas between 2020-21 and 2025-26. In total, 28,415 recorded offences were connected to just 270 individuals — an average of 105 offences per person. These figures only reflect cases where a theft was reported and a suspect was identified. One suspect in Sussex was linked to 247 shoplifting offences, roughly one every 10 days. Jeff Ashman, who used to shoplift in Hastings to support a heroin and crack cocaine addiction, said that at the peak of his offending he was taking goods worth £400 to £500 a day from stores. "It's mind-boggling," he said, reflecting on the harm he caused shopkeepers over an extended period. Ashman has since stopped shoplifting, but says the problem persists in many communities. Policing minister Sarah Jones described shoplifting as a "pernicious crime that for too long has gone unpunished," adding that offenders "need to know that they are going to be punished for what they have done." Nationally, police forces in England and Wales — not including the British Transport Police — recorded 502,011 shoplifting offences in 2025-26. More than half of these cases were closed without identifying a suspect. The government says it is looking into additional measures beyond prison sentences and drug treatment programmes, including technology-based solutions and court orders barring offenders from certain shops or areas. In Hastings, Ashman met John Bownas, who leads a team supporting local businesses and reducing crime in the town. Bownas told Ashman he had once been considered "public enemy number one" locally. He said shoplifting continues to have serious consequences for businesses and staff, noting that low-paid young workers often face intimidation, including threats involving needles or knives. To address the issue, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduced a specific criminal offence for assaulting retail workers in England and Wales, carrying penalties of up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine. In Canterbury, shop manager Laurissa Woolgar said her staff had experienced physical confrontations and verbal abuse from shoplifters, calling the situation "really upsetting." However, enforcement remains a challenge. Only about one in five shoplifting offences recorded in 2025-26 resulted in a charge or summons, with 285,667 cases either remaining open or closed without action. Some business owners have taken matters into their own hands. In Leeds, Dion Smith, who has run a jewellery workshop for 16 years, said shoplifters stole gold jewellery worth £1,000 last year. His wife photographed the suspects reselling stolen goods at a second-hand shop, but police were only able to identify them after the images were shared on social media and the public responded with information. Smith said shoplifting has