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<p>Statistics on shoplifting offences reported to the police are recorded in the crime
statistics published by the Office for National Statistics. The statistics can be
accessed via their website at <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.ons.gov.uk</a>.</p><p>The
Home Office Commercial Victimisation Survey 2016 provides an analysis of crimes against
businesses and shows that crimes against the wholesale and retail sector fell between
2012 and 2014, followed by a small increase between 2014 and 2016. According to the
Survey, 67 per cent of the crimes against the sector in 2016 were shoplifting incidents.</p><p>As
part of the response to these crimes, we encourage all retailers to report shoplifting
to the police whenever it occurs, so that these crimes can be investigated and, where
appropriate, the offenders brought to justice. It must, however, remain a matter for
chief constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, as operational leaders and elected
local representatives, to decide how best to deploy resources to respond to these
crimes. At the national level, the police, Police and Crime Commissioners, relevant
government departments and the retail sector are all represented on the National Retail
Crime Steering Group, which ensures a collaborative response to crimes that affect
the retail sector.</p>
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