Co-op welcomes Home Secretary announcement to launch intensive effort to tackle blight of shop theft

11 November 2026

Around 500 of the country’s most prolific high-street thieves will be targeted as part of a crackdown launched by the Home Secretary today (Wednesday, 11 November).

• New programme to target around 500 of the worst retail crime offenders in the country

• Suite of tactics includes more effective use of Criminal Behaviour Orders, closer monitoring and prison in the most serious cases

• Launch comes as shop theft continues to fall and the charge rate rises to 24%

Up to 16 police forces will intensify their efforts against the repeat retail crime offenders in their area who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of shop theft and stop their offending once and for all.

These prolific offenders could face tough restrictions on their movements, including being banned from high streets and town centres or fitted with GPS tags to track their every step if ordered by the judge.

Other measures could include closer monitoring of perpetrators through Intensive Supervision Courts, which subjects them to more regular hearings in front of a judge.

Those who don’t comply or breach conditions can face jail time. Foreign offenders could also be referred to Immigration Enforcement, so action can be taken quickly, including deportation where appropriate.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

"A small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of shop theft. They wreak havoc on our high streets, leave businesses out of pocket and make retail workers scared to go to work.

“Under this Government, shop theft is starting to fall, and more offenders are getting charged. Now we are going further by targeting those who are causing so much harm to our communities and stopping them in their tracks.”

Police, probation and other partners will work from a single personalised plan to get a better handle on the right approach for each individual case – for example building stronger cases for the courts, bringing together evidence of multiple offences – to ensure this cohort face real consequences.

Tackling repeat offenders is proven to make a dramatic difference to overall crime levels. According to Met Police data, Operation Kelleher, a targeted crackdown in Bromley in 2025, slashed recorded retail crime by 70%. Some shops reported stock losses down by as much as 80%.

The operation homed in on just 10 offenders responsible for a significant amount of retail crime across the borough, leading to arrests and charges, with Criminal Behaviour Orders secured against several offenders. One shop saw its weekly losses fall from £7,000 to just £400.

After years of rising levels, shop theft is finally starting to fall with the latest figures showing a 2% decline since last year. But more must be done.

Alongside the enforcement crackdown, offenders will be subject to court-ordered requirements. As well as being tough on crime, this pilot will be tough on the causes of crime, tackling the drivers of offending – like drug and alcohol addiction – to break the cycle.

An initial £2.5 million in overall funding will be available to support participating forces and local partners, which will be tailored to what is needed in each area.

The first police forces invited to trial the programme have been selected because of either their high levels of retail crime or their previous good work combating the issue and include West Midlands, Merseyside Police, and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, visited a Co-op store while in Coventry yesterday.

Paul Gerrard, Director - Campaigns, Public Affairs and Policy, Co-op, said:

"We welcome the government's continued focus on tackling retail crime, particularly the harm caused in communities by repeat and prolific offenders.

"Retail crime has a real impact on colleagues, customers and communities, so this targeted approach, combining strong enforcement with action on the root causes of offending, is another important step forward – sending a loud and clear message as we enter Respect for Shopworkers Week.

"While we've seen a welcome reduction in retail crime at Co-op, more needs to be done and we need to continue to work together to deliver long-term meaningful change for communities."

ACC Alex Goss, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, said:

“We have seen strong collaboration between policing, government, retailers, the security industry and academia to collectively tackle retail crime.

“This includes providing training and support for retailers, advising on effective crime prevention measures such as the use of security systems and investment in technology, and developing reporting processes that make it quicker and easier for businesses to share information with the police.

“Recent national figures show an increase in retail crime outcomes alongside reductions in retail crime, demonstrating both a stronger criminal justice response and encouraging progress in preventing offending. This reflects the positive impact of the collective efforts being made by policing and partners across the retail sector.

“We welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement today, which provides policing and partners with additional support to tackle some of the most prolific retail crime offenders who continue to cause harm to businesses, retail workers and local communities.

“Nationally, we will continue to work closely with the Home Office and police forces to support the implementation of the pilot and build on the progress already being delivered to tackle retail crime."

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Retailers welcome the government’s new targeted programme to tackle prolific offenders. A small group of repeat offenders is responsible for a disproportionate amount of retail crime, so cracking down on these individuals is crucial. Combining robust enforcement with targeted support to tackle the root causes could make a real difference to our high streets and communities.

“It is now vital that Government moves quickly to implement the powers granted in April under the standalone offence. This, alongside the measures announced today, will provide a more effective response to retail crime and help make our high streets safer.”
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said:

“The majority of theft from convenience stores is carried out by prolific offenders that are often known to retailers, the local community and the police and do enormous damage to responsible businesses. We have long called for the justice system to find effective ways to get criminals out of the cycle of reoffending and welcome these government measures which we hope will make a big positive difference in the communities where this pilot is targeted.”

ENDS

Further information about Co-op:

Andrew Torr
Lead Press Officer | Co-op Group
M – 07702505551
E - andrew.torr@coop.co.uk
E – pressoffice@coop.co.uk