Warning shoplifting 'out of control' after Highland rise
Retailers Against Crime said one of the problems was there were "little or no consequences" for persistent offenders.
A Police Scotland report to Highland Council said the five-year average for shoplifting in the region was 919 incidents, while in 2023-24 there were 1,487 and a further 1,349 in 2024-25.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the Scottish government recognised the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime in Scotland and had provided Police Scotland with an extra £3m to tackle the problem.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it gave "careful consideration" to any reports of alleged criminal conduct.
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Retailers Against Crime director Maxine Fraser said shoplifting threatened to put small, family-run shops out of business.
She told BBC Scotland News: "We work very closely with Police Scotland and we know that they do as much as they can - they will stop offenders and have them arrested.
"Then if or when it goes to court there are virtually no consequences.
"If someone is a prolific offender why on earth would they stop if nothing is going to happen to them."
Ms Fraser said she accepted jail time was not always the answer and suggested more emphasis be placed on rehabilitation and education - including teaching schoolchildren about the impact of shoplifting.
She said most of the crimes were not associated with the cost of living crisis but linked to serious and organised crime, or people who were stealing to make money from reselling the goods.
"It's out of control," she said.
'Massive amount'
The police report was discussed at a meeting of Highland Council's communities and place committee on Thursday.
Police Scotland's North Division commander, Ch Supt Robert Shepherd, told the meeting: "We do see last year there was a massive, massive amount of shoplifting - twice the previous years'."
He said the latest figures showed a drop, but added that officers were working to further reduce the number of incidents.
Ch Supt Shepherd also said an inspector was based in Inverness as part of a Scottish government-funded team targeting retail crime across Scotland.
More stories about shoplifting
The retailers living in fear of violent shoplifters
The small town fighting back against shoplifting
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the additional funding had been provided as part of £1.6bn of investment in policing this year.
She said: "Police Scotland has established the Retail Crime Taskforce that is targeting affected areas to prevent crime and pursue those responsible.
"It is also working with retailers to identify ways in which they can enhance security and reduce incidents occurring."
Punishments for shoplifting can include fines, community work and a prison sentence.
COPFS said it was taking action to prosecute shoplifters.
A spokesperson said: "COPFS will give careful consideration to any reports of alleged criminal conduct which are submitted by the police.
"Prosecutorial action will be taken if the reports contain sufficient admissible evidence of a crime and if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so."
Fraud also on the rise
In January, police said rates of shoplifting and fraud in Inverness had increased over the previous 12 months.
There were 680 shoplifting incidents in 2024-25, almost 13% more than the 603 reported in 2023-24.
For fraud, the figures were 155 incidents in 2023-24 and 168 in 2024-25.
Police Scotland said the three-year average for shoplifting in the city was 423 incidents and 408 for the five-year average.
In a report to Highland Council, the force said the detection rate for the crime was 63% but only 14% for fraud.
Related internet links
Retailers Against Crime
How to contact Police Scotland
Highland Council
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