Scottish Labour has warned that retail crime is “running riot” as rates of shoplifting and assault soar.

Figures published earlier this week show that the number of shoplifting crimes recorded by police rose by a shocking 19 per cent in 2025-26.

This problem has been growing for years now, with shoplifting increasing by a staggering 86 per cent over the last decade.

There has also been a sharp increase in the number of assaults of retail workers, with the total number of assaults rising by 10 per cent in a year.

The number of assaults of retail workers which caused an injury rose even more sharply, increasing by 18 per cent.

The Scottish Government’s Retail Crime Taskforce was set up in April 2025 to tackle these issues – however, in Glasgow and Edinburgh, shoplifting increased by over 30 per cent that year, despite the Taskforce operating in these areas.

Commenting, Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said “Retail crime is running riot in Scotland, putting workers at risk and leaving businesses out of pocket.

“The Retail Crime Taskforce has a role to play, but these damning figures show it is no silver bullet.

“The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and deliver real action to protect shopworkers and tackle shoplifting.

“Too often police are stuck waiting around in court and A&E waiting rooms instead of being out in our communities.

“We need a real plan to strengthen policing, support businesses and improve community safety.”