Devon and Cornwall Police have reported an increase in the rate at which shoplifters are being brought to justice. Since June 2026, 31% of reported shoplifting crimes in the region have resulted in a charge or summons, compared to 16% in 2022-2023, according to Home Office figures.
This rise is attributed in part to new reporting platforms, such as an app developed by UK Partners Against Crime (UK-PAC). Retailers can use this app to record crimes and alert others to shoplifters in the area. Andrew Bond, who runs a Premier Store in Torquay, Devon, stated the app has been effective, allowing him to record incidents in seconds compared to the 20 minutes a 101 report might take.
In the three months leading up to September 2026, the UK-PAC app reported 855 incidents to Devon and Cornwall Police. Sergeant Chris Chaloner noted that these new platforms enable quicker action against prolific offenders, potentially reducing future crime. He also highlighted that violence against shopworkers is increasing, with CCTV footage showing offenders physically assaulting staff and attempting to steal in plain sight.
A national survey by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers indicated that over three-quarters of almost 9,000 retail staff had experienced verbal abuse, and two-thirds reported that incidents of violence, threats, and abuse were triggered by shop theft or armed robbery.