'Many retailers choosing not to report theft amid stubborn levels of retail crime'

'Many retailers choosing not to report theft amid stubborn levels of retail crime'
Most independent retailers have experienced theft in past one year while many had to verbal abuse, shows the latest report on retail crime levels in the UK. Independent retailers across the UK continue to face stubborn levels of retail crime and alarmingly more retailers are choosing not to report theft incidents to police, according to the latest survey conducted by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). The bi-annual survey, conducted every six months to map out levels of retail crime affecting independent businesses, was completed in April 2025.

It collected responses from independent retailers across various sectors, providing a comprehensive picture of the current retail crime landscape.
According to the survey, 80.26 per cent of retailers have experienced theft in the past 12 months, an increase from 72.34 per cent in the previous survey (October 2024).
While 39.76 per cent of retailers experienced verbal abuse, with 58 per cent noting it has increased compared to the previous year, physical abuse incidents have decreased, with 3.7 per cent of retailers experiencing such incidents (down from 10.7 per cent).
15 per cent of respondents experienced cybercrime incidents.