Business Robbery is on the increase according to a new crime report. The latest data release from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) highlights the spike in robberies faced by businesses.
It would have been hard to miss reports of crimes against businesses over the past year, with so many reported on social media and in the news. Robbery from businesses has almost doubled from 33 per day in the year ending June 2024 to 61 per day in the year ending September 2025. Business owners already facing rising costs arriving at work in the morning to find smashed windows seems to be a horribly frequent occurrence.
Robbery and Shoplifting
Shoplifting, which has stolen the headlines over the last couple of years with record breaking levels of crime, has also seen a further 5% rise. There were over half a million incidents of shoplifting recorded by police this year for only the 2nd time since records began. However the new report demonstrates that these high levels of crime are not exclusive to retail. And given the nature of a robbery, this data also eludes to the violence businesses are experiencing.
By definition, robbery is stealing with violence. It involves some force or fear of force whilst stealing. This can include amateur violent snatching from tills as well as targeted organised attacks with weapons.
Increasing levels of retail crime have also negatively impacted the wellbeing of retail workers. In October 2024, the Retail Trust, a charity supporting the retail industry in the UK, published the results of its survey of 1,240 retail workers. The survey found that 47% of respondents feared for their safety at work and 39% had considered leaving their jobs or the industry altogether “due to the rise in violent and abusive incidents”
Retail crime: Impact on workers, the community and local economies – UK Parliament
The ONS report on Crime in England and Wales for the year ending September 2025 was published at the end of January 2026. It tells us there was a 66% increase in robbery of business property. A sixty six per cent increase! This is a significant rise; Around 10,000 extra incidents in this 12 month period. For context; between March 2004 and March 2023, there were fewer than 10,000 incidents per year in total.
What actions can you take to protect against business robbery?
We’ve helped lots of local business owners to move forward from such incidents with robust security in place. A monitored panic alarm with police response is extremely effective at summoning help if needed. Visible measures can deter robbers, including uniformed security staff, till screens and obviously electronic security systems.
Consider installing closed circuit television cameras to record all who enter the store or the vulnerable areas of your shop. If you make it clear to everyone that you use them you may deter robbers. To increase the chances of video evidence being used to get a conviction, you need good quality equipment and recordings need to be date and time ‘stamped’. It would help if you site cameras low enough to get a clear rather than a foreshortened picture.
West Yorkshire Police
Keybury Fire and Security protect businesses with high quality monitored CCTV and monitored intruder alarm systems with police response. Discuss your business safety with a free site survey. Book online or contact 0800 458 7486 or sales@keybury.co.uk.
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