The latest data highlights:
Shoplifting dropped by 4% overall, falling to 507,086 offences in the year ending March 2026 (compared to 530,324 the previous year).
Two-thirds of attacks on retail staff are triggered by theft or armed robbery, according to Usdaw's latest survey.
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary says: "Retail crime remains at epidemic levels with over half a million shop theft incidents recorded. This is not a victimless crime. Dealing with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers on the frontline.
"We have campaigned, along with many retail employers, for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem and we are pleased that the Government passed the Crime and Policing Act in April 2026. The Act delivers a much-needed protection of retail workers' law; ends the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and introduces Respect Orders for offenders.
"Labour has also started the process of reforming police services, to put a greater focus on local crime, and has delivered over 3,000 additional police officers and PCSOs into neighbourhood roles. It is our hope that these new measures will help turn the tide on shop theft and give retail workers the safe working environment they deserve."
Sarah Jones, Crime and Policing Minister says: "These figures show our approach is working. But we will not stop here. For too long, retail crime has been dismissed as low-level offending. It harms shop workers, damaged businesses and hollows out communities.
"Shoplifting charges are up 19%. More offenders are being caught and facing justice, with almost one in four offences now leading to a change, and that reflects a real change in how seriously this crime is now being taken.
"We will not stand for shop workers being intimidated, threatened or assaulted whilst simply doing their jobs."
Notes for editors: