“It almost happens every day”: Shoplifting rates rise in Leeds

The rate of shoplifting in Leeds is steadily increasing, as reported in Plumplot.

Starting from 2020, due to Covid-19, the rate of shoplifting in Leeds was at its lowest between April and September. However, the number of shoplifting cases has been steadily increasing, reaching its highest in June 2024.  

Source: Om Kumar | All Rights Reserved

Kaylee Ma, staff for Escape World, located inside Kirkgate market, said: “It [shoplifting] almost happens every day” at her workplace. She also said that it was “annoying” but got “used to it” due to the high frequency of shoplifting happening at the store.

This is expected as shoplifting in Leeds is the second most committed offence. It makes up 19.4% of the total crimes committed in Leeds within the last three years, totalling up to 8733 cases.

Source: Om Kumar | All Rights Reserved

This falls below violent and sexual offence, the most committed crime in Leeds, that makes up 27.5% of the total crimes in Leeds in the same time frame, totalling up to 12,333 cases.

Source: Om Kumar | All Rights Reserved

With witnesses to shoplifting, Leeds ranks fourth between Southampton and Manchester, with 26% of people who have witnessed shoplifting in Leeds in the last 12 months.

Source: Om Kumar | All Rights Reserved

Violent shoplifting is also an issue, with some shoplifters using weapons like hammers and scissors to threaten and intimidate staff.

Source: Om Kumar | All Rights Reserved

With these challenges faced by local and chain stores, it might call for an increase in security against the rise in shoplifting.