Stacey Dooley delves into the alarming rise of retail theft in the UK in her latest BBC documentary, Meet the Shoplifters.
She even admits to having shoplifted as a teenager, stealing eyeliner and mascara at around 13 or 14 years old.
“It would have been disingenuous not to mention it,” she says, emphasizing that there was no justification for her actions at the time.
Dooley spent eight months investigating shoplifting, describing it as more rampant now than ever before.
Her findings align with data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which highlights an increase in both shoplifting and violence against retail workers.
According to a recent BRC-Opinium survey, nearly a quarter (24%) of the UK population witnessed shoplifting in the 12 months leading to February 2025.
In conversations with shoplifters, Dooley uncovers varying motivations—some steal as an act of defiance against large corporations, while others do so out of necessity.
One woman she interviewed admitted to stealing milk and bread to feed her child, feeling overwhelming guilt but having no other choice.
Tom Holder from the BRC warns that shoplifting is spiraling out of control. “We’re now just reaching new heights.
People think they can get away with it without consequence,” he says. The issue is compounded by rising violence and abuse towards retail staff.
The survey found that 23% of shoppers witnessed incidents of verbal or physical abuse against store employees, including racial and sexual harassment, physical assault, and even threats with weapons.
Manchester-based cosmetics store worker Dips confirms that the situation is worsening each year. “It’s not a victimless crime.
Somebody always pays the price down the line. And for us, it’s the staff,” she says.
Dooley also explores the role of social media in fueling shoplifting. Some shoplifters share their experiences online, even using hashtags to provide tips for others.
Meanwhile, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson warns that incidents of retail crime—though sometimes over in seconds—can leave lasting psychological scars on victims, discouraging shoppers from visiting local high streets.
Despite some shoplifters not seeing their actions as a crime, the impact on businesses is undeniable.
Retail theft cost UK stores an estimated £2 billion in a single year.
Holder emphasizes that these losses inevitably lead to higher prices for all consumers, stating, “That money has to come from somewhere, so it ends up being spread across everything that we buy.”
As shoplifting reaches unprecedented levels, Meet the Shoplifters raises crucial questions about the causes and consequences of retail crime—and whether the UK is truly becoming a nation of shoplifters.
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