UK sees rise in pensioner shoplifting amid cost of living crisis

In the UK, food retailers are reporting a sharp rise in shoplifting among pensioners, driven by the ongoing cost of living crisis, The Guardian said. John Nussbaum of Kingdom Services Group, a firm providing security for hundreds of stores nationwide, said that older individuals now account for around 5% of weekly shoplifting cases, with many stealing essential items like coffee out of desperation.

Nussbaum described a shift in the profile of shoplifters, noting a growing number of cases involving people who “don’t normally steal” but are being pushed by economic hardship. Kingdom receives 20 to 30 such reports weekly, and in many instances, police are not called when older individuals are involved to avoid public backlash.

According to the Office for National Statistics, police recorded over 516,000 shoplifting offences in England and Wales in 2024—a 20% increase from the previous year. Retailers argue the true figure is much higher, as many incidents go unreported. The British Retail Consortium estimates retail theft costs businesses over £2.2 billion annually.

The government is introducing new legislation to combat theft, including scrapping the £200 threshold for low-level offences and creating a specific offence for assaulting retail workers, as well as increasing investment in store security measures.