Desperate Measures: Understanding the Spike in Shoplifting Amid a Cost-of-Living Crisis

As the UK grapples with unprecedented rises in living costs, retail workers share tales of increased shoplifting, shedding light on a society pushed to its limits. Many who partake in these acts of theft describe it as a last resort, driven by the desperation of not being able to afford basic necessities. With social safety nets failing, the rise in shoplifting is a grim reminder of the widening inequality gap and the urgent need for systemic solutions.