Overview

• Matthew Barber has defended his advice for citizens and shop staff to call 999 and, where safe, physically prevent shoplifters from leaving stores.
• His remarks have drawn criticism from Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson and former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley, who warned interventions could escalate violence.
• Official data show shoplifting in England and Wales reached 530,643 offences in 2024-25, up 20% on the previous year and marking the highest level since records began.
• The Home Office has launched a crime ‘blitz’ to boost visible neighbourhood policing, remove low-value theft thresholds and create a standalone offence for assaults on retail workers.
• Ten live facial-recognition vans will be deployed across seven forces and police guidance continues to advise store staff to engage suspects only if it is safe to do so.