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Rise in shoplifting and theft in UK finds nine in 10 retailers in rural areas targeted
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Rise in shoplifting and theft in UK finds nine in 10 retailers in rural areas targeted

The Guardian · May 25, 2026, 11:00 AM

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Research shows cost of crime for each affected business was on average £83,000 in past year Nine in 10 retailers based in rural locations have been victims of crime in the past 12 months, according to research, underlining the widespread impact of the rise in shoplifting and theft even in more remote parts of the UK.Rural retailers include farm shops as well as stores selling machinery and other equipment. The financial cost of crime for each affected retailer was on average £83,000 during the past year, according to a survey carried out by the commercial insurer NFU Mutual. Meanwhile, one in 20 victims said crime had cost them more than half a million pounds. Continue reading...

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