ALMOST 800 shoplifting cases a day went unsolved last year, official figures reveal.
Some 289,464 were closed with no suspect identified in 2024/25 — 18 per cent up on the year before.
A report found nearly 800 shoplifting cases a day went unsolved last year
Overall, no suspect was identified in 55 per cent of all shoplifting probes — and only 18 per cent led to charges.
It comes after figures last month showed shoplifting cases rocketed 20 per cent last year from 444,022 to 530,643, a high since records began in 2002/03.
The latest figures, for all forces in England — except Humberside — and Wales were compiled for the Lib Dems by the House of Commons Library.
They revealed 793 cases a day went unsolved.
London’s Met had the worst record — with 76.9 per cent of its 93,705 cases shut without a suspect, and just 5.9 per cent ending in a charge.
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber sparked outrage by claiming the public should “challenge” shoplifters instead of relying on cops.
Lib Dem MP Joshua Reynolds, a supermarket manager before entering politics, called the remark “reckless”.
He said: “Senior police chiefs should be protecting us, not passing the buck to the public.”
The Government insisted it is increasing the number of police and patrols.
It also said it will “end the effective immunity for theft of goods under £200 and bring in a specific offence for assaulting retail workers”.
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