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<p>Since 2010 theft offences experienced by the general population has fallen by 48%,
according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, but shoplifting has been increasing
in the last three years, as shown in the table.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Calendar
Year</p></td><td><p>Number of Shoplifting offences</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>256,199</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2022</p></td><td><p>315,040</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2023</p></td><td><p>430,104</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><em>Source:
ONS Crime in England and Wales: year ending December 2023, Appendix Table A4.</em></p><p>There
must be a zero tolerance approach to such crime which is why, alongside key partners,
this Government is taking concerted action to address the menace of retail crime.
The Government’s plan – "Fighting retail crime: more action" was launched
on 10 April, and highlights five areas of work this Government will drive forward
to tackle retail crime:</p><ul><li>Introducing a standalone offence for assaults on
retail workers;</li><li>Additional electronic monitoring for prolific shoplifters;</li><li>Working
with police and businesses to roll out the latest facial recognition to catch these
perpetrators;</li><li>Championing good practice to design out crime; and</li><li>Making
it easier for retailers to report crime.</li></ul>
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