"London is a city of brilliant shopkeepers and these shocking numbers remind us that Sadiq Khan's failure to get more funding for policing is hitting them hard. He promised us that he would be able to get more funds from a Labour government for vital services, but by some estimates there are 2,503 fewer police officers in London today than there were in May 2024."
"It is unacceptable that the hardworking people in our local stores are being left to fend for themselves. Our independent businesses are already fighting to survive rising costs and business rates, they shouldn't have to worry about shoplifting too."
"We need more than just promises, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to real neighbourhood policing, with bobbies on the beat and dedicated police counters right here in London so that our fantastic local shoppers and shopkeepers are kept safe."
Shoplifting incidents in London surged from 31,008 in 2020/2021 to 93,626 in 2024/2025. The Liberal Democrats urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to secure more funding for the Metropolitan Police and reverse police station closures. Criticism arose from Labour councillors regarding the funding gap and police cuts. Luke Taylor MP emphasized the impact on local businesses, stating that fewer police officers are available to address rising crime rates. The call for a return to neighborhood policing aims to protect local shopkeepers and shoppers from crime.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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