Lib Dems demand return to community policing as shoplifting offences continue to soar
EMBARGO: Immediate release
The Liberal Democrats are renewing calls for the Government to implement proper community policing as new statistics reveal an increase in shoplifting in the year ending June 2025. Shoplifting offences increased by 13% (to 529,994 offences) and theft from the person rose by 5% (to 145,860 offences) compared with the previous year.
The figures were revealed by the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice, released earlier this morning.
The Liberal Democrats have slammed the previous Conservative Government for the figures, arguing that years of ineffective resourcing have left local police forces overstretched, under-resourced and unable to focus on solving crimes like shoplifting.
The Party has also criticised Labour for failing to tackle the issue head on, despite their promise to invest in community policing and get tough on crime.
The Party is calling for a return to genuine community policing, starting with a ‘Police Counter Promise’, guaranteeing a staffed police desk in every community. Only then can public confidence be rebuilt, with a visible police presence focused on tackling the crimes that matter most to local people.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Justice, Jess Brown-Fuller MP said:
“This rising surge in shoplifting is becoming worryingly normalised. Frankly, our communities and our high streets deserve better than this. The Government has made big promises when it comes to tackling crime, but they are failing to deliver.
“The former Conservative government destroyed neighbourhood policing and left our communities to pay the price. Now this Labour government has done nothing to change the course.
“The Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for a return to proper community policing, with more bobbies on the beat and a staffed police desk in every community. That’s how we keep neighbourhoods safe and cut crimes like shoplifting.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Figures on crimes are here.
