Shoplifting across the South East has increased by 20 per cent, according to police data.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced that incidents of shoplifting have doubled since the pandemic across the whole of England and Wales.

In the South East, this equates to a 20 per cent increase in the year to September 2024.

Within this, Hampshire saw a 17 per cent increase.

The retail trade union, Usdaw, expressed deep concern over these statistics, highlighting the negative impact this rise in crime has on retail staff.

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Hampshire sees 17 per cent increase in shoplifting (Image: Pixabay) The union's latest annual survey, which gathered responses from more than 4,000 retail workers, showed that 17 per cent of retail staff were victims of violent attacks last year, a significant increase from 8 per cent in 2022.

Seven in ten of these incidents were said to have been triggered by theft or armed robbery.

Usdaw's general secretary, Paddy Lillis, said: "The scale of the epidemic of retail crime is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics and the BRC report.

"Crime has a very direct impact on the viability of stores, as retailers go to increasing lengths and expense to make them secure and safe.

"Communities are blighted by anti-social behaviour and store closures.

"Staff are working in fear of the next incident of abuse, threats or violence."

The British Retail Consortium's annual crime report revealed that retail violence and abuse increased by more than 50 per cent in 2024, reaching more than 2,000 incidents a day.

Losses from customer theft reached a record £2.2 billion in 2023/24.

Usdaw believes that many retail stores are being targeted by organised crime gangs, who use weapons and violence to ensure they are not stopped.

The union has campaigned for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem.

Mr Lillis added: "We are pleased that the government will be introducing the Crime and Policing Bill, with measures to tackle this issue.

"It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve."