Shop staff face 'Christmas crime wave' with more than 650 shoplifting cases unsolved each day

Shop workers are bracing for a "Christmas crime wave" according to an MP's warning, amid revelations that new figures show over 650 shoplifting incidents per day went unresolved in the past year. As of March 2024, House of Commons Library data indicates a closure of 245,500 shoplifting investigations without identifying a suspect, averaging 672 daily—a 38% surge compared to five years prior.

In addition, a mere one in six shoplifting cases led to charges or a court summons over the last year, while 56.4% were dropped due to failure in suspect identification, as reported by City AM.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart commented: "Shop staff are having to deal with a