With almost 1,300 shoplifting incidences reported per day last year, shoplifting has reached a record level in England and Wales, signalling a worrying rise in retail crime, according to The Metro. According to police data, 469,788 shoplifting crimes were reported in the year ending June 2024. Compared to the 365,173 cases reported the year before, this indicates a 29% rise.

These numbers are the highest since current records began in March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), highlighting a steady increase in shoplifting instances that has intensified recently. Retailers refer to the rise as an “epidemic,” saying that the industry lost 1.8 billion pounds (Rs 18347.4) last year due to more aggressive methods and bolder thefts that frequently involved the use of weapons, according to The Metro.

Major shop chains are now more concerned as a result of the increase in crime. In response, the government has promised to combat minor stealing and explore new laws that would make assaulting store employees a distinct crime.

“As these new figures show, we are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products in UK shops every day, and if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous.,” Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, told The Metro.

“Crime is an occupation for some-it is not petty crime, and it is not victimless. At Co-op, we have invested over 200 million pounds in preventative measures in our shops and believe the collaborative approach between the retail industry, the police, and the government will start to instigate a change, sending out a clear message to all those who commit brazen and often violent acts of retail theft that time is now up on their criminal ways.”

A bodycam video released by Ohio police in the United States shows a cop shooting a black pregnant woman as she refuses to leave the car. The incident took place on August 24 and 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young died after being shot inside her car, as per a report in the New York Post. The police officers were questioning the woman about an incident of alleged theft, the outlet further said.

In the video shared by the Blendon Township Police Department, the woman is seen seated in her black sedan while an officer repeatedly asks her to “get out of the car”. She questions why she should do the same and said “I’m not going to do that.” The cop adds, “They said you stole stuff, do not leave.” Ms Young replies, “I didn’t do s***, the other girls was taking (stuff)”.

One of the officers then stands in front of the car with his gun pulled and his left hand on the bonnet. He screams, “Get out of the f****** car!” Ignoring him, the 21-year-old accelerates and the officer fired a shot. Within a few seconds, the car is seen moving slowly through the parking lot before crashing into the brick wall of a grocery store. The police officers run behind the car asking the woman to “stop the goddamn car!” as they point a gun toward her driver’s side window. The second officer tries but fails to unlock the door. He then smashes the half-opened glass window to gain access to Ms Young, who slumped over the car’s centre console. Officers said they tried to save the mother of two and her unborn child, but neither survived the gunshot. She was due to give birth in November.

Ms Young’s family said in a statement, “Having viewed the footage in its entirety, it is undeniable that Ta’Kiya’s death was not only avoidable, but also a gross misuse of power and authority.” They are seeking a criminal indictment of the officers.

The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is investigating the incident.