A police car is parked outside a large Tesco Express supermarket
The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police rose to the highest level on record in 2024, surpassing half a million offences. Photograph: Jon D/Alamy
The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police rose to the highest level on record in 2024, surpassing half a million offences. Photograph: Jon D/Alamy
Police to target 500 chronic shoplifters in retail crime crackdown in England

Tactics to include GPS tagging for repeat offenders, high street bans and tougher sentences

Five hundred of the most prolific shoplifters across England will be targeted in a police crackdown on retail crime, with tougher sentences, high street bans and GPS tagging.