‘I work in security and I’ve never seen so many pensioner shoplifters’ | Personal Finance | Finance

The UK is witnessing a startling surge in the number of pension-age shoplifters, with security specialists attributing the unfortunate trend to the escalating cost of living crisis. John Nussbaum, director of service for retail at Kingdom Services Group, has reported that approximately 5% of shoplifters caught each week by the firm are over 50 years old.

Kingdom watches over a number of stores across the UK spanning from shopping malls to supermarkets and smaller convenience stores. Although on the surface this 5% might seem minor, Nussbaum highlighted that this trend is completely new. Speaking with PA, he said: “We’ve not seen this before, and I’ve been in security for 30 years.

“Ten years ago, five years ago, you wouldn’t have seen this kind of theft. We put it down to the cost of living. People can’t afford to spend £10, £20 on food. It’s desperation.

“We’re used to seeing the organised gangs, that’s the norm, but the types of people being caught now has changed. We’ve seen a massive increase in pensioners shoplifting, putting a jar of coffee in their bag and one in the trolley, that sort of thing.”

The security expert claimed that stores often avoid involving the police with elderly shoplifters as it’s “not good publicity” while Kingdom is currently dealing with 20 to 30 incidents of shoplifting each week involving individuals who are struggling to afford essentials.

In 2024, there were 516,971 recorded offences, a significant 20% increase from 2023, as per the Office for National Statistics.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has also indicated that these official numbers might not fully reflect the extent of the problem.

Graham Wynn, assistant director of business and regulation at the BRC, said: “Retail theft is a major issue for retailers, costing over £2.2bn a year and acting as a major trigger for violence and abuse against staff.”

Parliament is currently considering a new crime and policing bill, which includes measures to combat retail theft more effectively, such as introducing a specific offence for assaulting a retail worker according to the Guardian.

Nussbaum added: “There’s no fear any more. If someone gets arrested they might get a fine or spend a night in jail. There’s no deterrent any more. There’s nothing to stop these people.”