ScotGov announce details for renewal of Retail Crime Taskforce budget

Following the calls from SGF and retail organisations across Scotland, the Scottish Government has committed to renewing funding for next three years for the Retail Crime Taskforce in the draft budget for 2026-27.

The Taskforce was launched in April last year following £3 million investment from the Scottish Government to combat a rise in retail crime, shoplifting and violence against staff after securing funding.

In the first year of operation, the Taskforce’s targeted approach to prevent, pursue, protect and prepare in areas identified as most at risk has resulted in 3,671 shoplifting charges and detections.

A further 508 charges under the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act 2021 for offences against retail workers have been made along with a total of 807 arrests.

SGF has continuously raised the issue among policymakers on the devastating impact that retail crime is having on communities across Scotland, which has put pressure on the Scottish Government to take more action to address this. We welcome this announcement of sustained money for the Retail Crime Taskforce and commend the achievements of the group to date.

However, the £3 million alone will not reverse the worrying trends in retail crime, and we will continue to call on government, the police, and the courts to ensure this issue is properly prioritised.