Police attendance to shoplifting offences

During recent engagement with businesses across Wiltshire we have heard concerns that police will only attend a shoplifting incident if the theft is over £200.

The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 states that shop thefts of £200 or less must be tried in a magistrates’ court unless the defendant elects for jury trial. 

This has created a perception that police will not respond to low-value shop theft and offenders will escape punishment.  

In February 2025 the bill was amended taking away the £200 threshold meaning that shoplifting can now be tried in a Crown Court and maximum sentence can be up to 7 years imprisonment.

Inspector Lou Oakley, lead for Business Crime for Wiltshire Police said, "Shop theft of any amount is illegal.  It should not be dismissed as a victimless, lower-level crime.

"We recognise this crime is under-reported and we encourage retailers to work with us by reporting all instances of shoplifting, no matter the value of the items. It is vital retail crimes are reported to Wiltshire Police so that all leads can be investigated and loss to businesses in our county can be prevented.”

You can report to us by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report here.

You can also find information on keeping your business safe here