Shoplifting in Southwark Featuring Weapons up 53%, as police fail to attend most calls

An FOI to the Metropolitan Police submitted by the Southwark Liberal Democrats has revealed that: 

• Total shoplifting offences have increased by 39% since last year
• Incidents involving a weapon have increased by 53%
• Out of a total of 3834 offences recorded over a 3 year period, just over 6% resulted in a charge or summons, with only 40% even able to identify a suspect
• In 2023 police failed to attend 58% of calls relating to shoplifting, compared to 48% in 2021

These shocking statistics come as the Mayor faces increasing pressure about the performance of the Met – both in terms of tackling real crimes and its behavior and culture.

This reflects broader national trends, with industry leaders branding shoplifting an “epidemic”, with a spokesperson for the co-op describing situations in London where 999 operators advised them to call the non-emergency number in the middle of an armed robbery.

The Liberal Democrats previously put heat on the Met when it was revealed that the vast majority of bicycle thefts in the borough go unsolved, prompting claims that bike theft was “effectively decriminalised” in London.

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Community Safety Spokesperson Cllr Jane Salmon said:

“Residents expect the law to be enforced, and police to attend when crimes take place, especially when weapons are involved. When it comes to crime and community safety, Labour are quite simply letting us down. We need a return to real community policing.”

London Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Rob Blackie said:

"Shoplifting is going through the roof because criminals just aren’t worried about the police showing up in time. They are coming back time and again because they think they can get away with it.

“Sadiq Khan is in charge of the police but is taking our crime problems seriously.

“London needs a Mayor who will treat crime as a priority and restore trust in the police. I would get police back on the beat, rather than wasting time on trivial offences such as cannabis and laughing gas.”

• Full FOI here