Different motives, different solutions: UoG expert calls for a rethink on shoplifting
A University of Gloucestershire professor says that efforts to tackle shoplifting should recognise that people steal for different reasons, as retail theft continues to place growing pressure on businesses, staff and communities.
Recent figures show shoplifting remains at historically high levels across England and Wales, with retailers continuing to report significant losses alongside increasing concerns about abuse, intimidation and violence directed towards staff.
While public discussion often focuses on shoplifting as a simple crime problem or because of economic pressures, Professor Philippa Ward argues that the reality is far more complex.
Professor Ward, Research Lead in the University’s School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, said: “It is easy to think of shoplifting as one behaviour driven by one motivation, but the evidence suggests otherwise.
“Research shows that two people can take the same item from the same shop for entirely different reasons. One may be struggling to afford essentials, while another could afford to pay but acts on impulse or enjoys the challenge of getting away with it.
“That distinction matters. We cannot assume that a measure which deters an opportunistic theft will also address behaviour linked to grief, depression or compulsion. None of this means that shoplifting is ever excusable.
“Retail theft has real consequences for businesses, workers and communities. However, understanding the motivation helps us ask whether we are responding in a way that is likely to prevent it happening again.”
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show police-recorded shoplifting in England and Wales reached 507,086 offences in the year ending March 2026.
While this was 4% lower than the record-high 530,324 offences the previous year, it remains more than double the number recorded in 2020-21 (228,128), highlighting the growing challenge facing retailers.
Existing research has identified multiple shoplifter types: including those responding to loss or significant life disruption; those acting impulsively; those experiencing depression; those who treat stealing as a hobby or challenge; those showing addictive or compulsive behaviour; and those motivated by economic disadvantage.
Professor Ward believes this complexity has important implications not only for those who offend, but also for the people who encounter shoplifting daily.
Professor Ward said: “One aspect that is often overlooked is the psychological impact on everyone involved. Yes, individuals engaged in repeated shoplifting may be experiencing distress, guilt, anxiety, shame or other underlying difficulties.
“But, at the same time, retail workers, security personnel and police officers are repeatedly exposed to challenging situations that can be stressful and emotionally demanding.
“There is an understandable tendency to view shoplifting solely through a criminal justice lens, but it is also a workplace wellbeing issue, a community issue and, in some cases, a mental health issue.
“Supporting retailers and protecting staff must remain a priority. Equally, where offending is linked to issues such as addiction, trauma, poor mental health or severe hardship, there may also be a role for interventions that address those underlying causes.”
Professor Ward says changes in the retail environment, including the widespread adoption of self-service technologies, highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between individual psychology, opportunity and behaviour.
“Context matters,” said Professor Ward. “The environments we create can influence behaviour, decision-making and perceptions of responsibility. Understanding that relationship can help retailers, policymakers and enforcement agencies develop more effective responses.”
Professor Ward believes the most effective long-term strategies are likely to combine robust action against organised and persistent offenders with a deeper understanding of the diverse factors that can contribute to retail theft.
“The key point is that there is no single shoplifting problem and therefore no single solution,” said Professor Ward. “If we focus only on what has been stolen, we risk missing the wider factors that may have contributed to the behaviour in the first place. Understanding those factors is often an important part of preventing future harm.”