Shoplifting in Scotland has risen sharply over the past year, with new official figures showing a 15% jump in cases and levels now 129% higher than during the pandemic.

The latest Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin , covering the year to September 2025, shows police logged 48,564 shoplifting offences, up from 42,271 the previous year — the steepest rise within any major category of dishonesty crime.

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David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium , said more needed to be done to tackle thieving from stores.

While a dedicated police taskforce has been set up in response to the rise, its £3 million Scottish Government funding is for the current financial year only.

The trade body has been pressing ministers for a multi-year funding package to help turn the

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