Shoplifting on the rise across Canada: report

 

 

Despite reports of a decline in crime across Canada, shoplifting is on the rise, a new report says. The crime rate across Canada fell by 4.1 per cent in 2024, according to the Crime Severity Index (CSI), released yesterday. However, shoplifting is a recurring theme. The report also says that the most common items stolen from stores are items worth $5,000 or less.

Police received reports of 182,361 shoplifting incidents in 2024. This is a 14 per cent increase compared to 2023. The report says that shoplifting rates have been increasing for four consecutive years.
Statistics from the past decade indicate a worrying trend. Shoplifting increased by 66 per cent from 2014 to 2024.

Shoplifting is generally considered a relatively minor crime compared to other types of crime. However, theft can cause significant financial losses to businesses, so retailers are taking strict measures to prevent theft.

In January, Safeway, a supermarket chain owned by Sobeys Incorporated, installed anti-theft gates. But this has left customers in Vancouver disappointed. Over the past year, Loblaws has tested several anti-theft methods, including receipt scanners, security gates, and shopping carts with locking wheels.