Shoplifting accounted for 20.5% of all crimes recorded in Bath

Shoplifting was the most common type of crime in Bath in January 2020, which may, in some ways, attest to the relatively low crime rates of this historic city, where violent crimes remain lower than in many other built-up parts of the UK.

In January 2020, shoplifting accounted for 20.5% of all crimes recorded in Bath, or 72 cases altogether. This is an increase from just 52 cases of shoplifting in December 2019, a trend often seen as consumers feel the pinch after Christmas and often those who struggle to get by will resort to committing crimes.

The majority of shoplifting crime in Bath takes place around the city centre, on streets like Stall Street and the High Street, where most high street shops, cafes and restaurants are located. This might provide solace to retailers located further out, though 3 shoplifting crimes were also recorded in January 2020 in the London Road branch of Morrisons, proving that it’s not just high street retailers who can be hit by this crime.

Overall, shoplifting crimes in Bath may be becoming more common. Year on year, the number of such recorded crimes has risen from just 29 in January 2018, to 33 a year later in 2019, and finally to 72 in January 2020.