Neighbourhood crime “eroding community safety” as Crimestoppers urges public to speak up anonymously
Crimestoppers is launching a new campaign to highlight the growing impact of neighbourhood crime across the UK and empower people to share information anonymously to help protect communities.
From burglary and robbery to shoplifting and phone theft, neighbourhood crime is reshaping everyday life, affecting people’s sense of safety at home, their confidence on their streets and trust in local high streets and public spaces.
Latest figures show the scale of the issue with more than 509,000 shoplifting offences, 224,000 burglaries, and 129,000 thefts from the person recorded across the UK.
In addition, there were an estimated 590,000 incidents of retail violence and abuse, alongside 950,000 cases of verbal abuse in convenience stores*.
These are not just statistics, they represent real people experiencing fear, disruption, and lasting emotional impact.
Neighbourhood crime can have long-term consequences. Burglaries can damage a person’s sense of security in their own home. Robberies and phone theft can change how people travel, socialise and go about daily life. Retail crime continues to affect local businesses, workers and the overall confidence of many communities.
Despite this, many incidents go unreported. People may fear retaliation, not want direct involvement with police, or feel that speaking up will not make a difference. This silence can leave the door open for organised crime and criminal activity to continue, leaving communities feeling unsafe.
Crimestoppers is encouraging people to break this cycle by sharing what they know safely and anonymously.
Mick Duthie, Director of Operations from the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Neighbourhood crimes have the effect of eroding community safety which is why information we receive anonymously and pass on can help to keep us safe.
“We know that many people want to speak up but feel unable to. That’s why our charity exists. We provide a safe, trusted way for anyone to share information about crime completely anonymously.
“You don’t need proof, and you don’t need to give your name. Even a small piece of information can make a big difference in helping to protect others.”
Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity. No information provided can be traced back to the individual to makes contact.
Drugs worth an estimated £325,000 have been recovered following the search of a property in South Edinburgh.
Officers searched an address in the West Powburn area around 6.25pm on Thursday, 21 May, 2026 and discovered a large quantity of Diamorphine.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Sergeant Callum Mill said: “Drugs cause misery in communities and we work tirelessly every day to prevent them being circulated on our streets.
“We are committed to addressing the concerns of local people and information from the public is vital to helping us tackle this type of harmful criminality.
“If you have information or concerns about drugs activity in your area please contact Police Scotland on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, has launched its earliest ever summer campaign across Scotland to help young people stay safe from the very start of the holidays.
Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the campaign launches today, weeks before schools break up – so young people hear these messages before summer reaches its peak. It focuses on making positive choices, staying safe online, violence prevention, looking out for each other and knowing how to speak up 100% anonymously if they are worried about crime.
It also comes ahead of key moments in the summer calendar, including the end of exams and major events and festivals across Scotland, when more young people are out and about, travelling and spending time in new places with friends.
Throughout the summer, Fearless will be out in communities, transport hubs and at major events including Youth Beatz and TRNSMT, speaking directly with young people. The campaign offers practical, non-judgemental support wherever young people spend their time. It will also run across TikTok and Snapchat, with content shaped by young people themselves and grounded in the reality of their lives.
Through fearless.org, young people can share information about crime 100% anonymously. No names. No contact details. No way of tracing where potentially lifesaving information came from.
Lyndsay McDade, Fearless National Manager for Scotland, said:“As a mum to teenagers, I’m very aware that children only get 18 summers before adulthood. I want this to be a great one for young people right across Scotland.
“I want all young people to enjoy themselves, get home safely every day and feel supported to make good choices. That’s what summer should be.
“That’s why we’re launching our campaign earlier than ever, with more visibility and more time spent where young people are, giving them the information and conversations they need to navigate the holidays.
“If you work with or look after young people, please tell them about our charity. They can follow us on our new Scotland TikTok @Fearless_Scot and use our website fearless.org to get the information they need to keep them safe.
“We all need to be there for young people this summer. We need to be present. We need to recognise that they belong in our communities and show them that we believe in them.”
Innis Keith, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Network Rail Scotland, said:“Thousands of journeys are made safely every day on Scotland’s Railway.
“The real risk comes from poor decisions like trespassing, taking shortcuts, or trying to take photos or videos near the tracks. Moments like these can have life‑changing or fatal consequences.
“Through Fearless, we want young people to understand that their choices in those moments really matter.
“The campaign gives them the confidence to look out for themselves and their friends, to speak up when something feels wrong, and to make better decisions around the railway.
“When they feel informed and supported, it’s more likely they’ll make choices that get them home safely.”
Over 50,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in a multi-agency day of action in Glasgow.
Following concerns raised by the community, officers from the local problem-solving team at Cathcart Police Office were joined by partners from Trading Standards and the Home Office on Tuesday, 19 May, 2026.
Several shops in the Govanhill area were visited, and a total of 51,000 illegal cigarettes with a street value of around £47,000 were discovered, with the help of specialist search dogs Boo and Rosie from Trading Standards.
Fines were issued and enquiries are ongoing.
Sergeant Gary Phillips said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to target areas of concern and stop the illegal sale of counterfeit goods.
“This day of action highlights our commitment to protecting the public, supporting lawful traders, and taking action against those involved in criminality.
“If you have information regarding those involved in the supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco then contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Did you know over 1.3 billion illegal cigarettes were seized between April 2023 and March 2024?
Community information helps uncover hidden supply chains, storage sites and those behind the sales.
By sharing what you know with Crimestoppers, you can help protect children, support local businesses and disrupt organised crime. We don’t need to know your name or where you’re from, just what you know about the crime.
Independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland in partnership with Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce has launched a national campaign to help tackle the growing problem of organised theft and sale of stolen goods from Scotland’s shops.
With increasing reports of theft, violence and abuse targeting retail workers, the campaign aims to empower communities and the industry to report incidents anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers.
Scotland’s retail sector has seen a rise in theft linked to organised crime gangs.
Police Scotland figures show that between April 2024 and October 2025, goods worth an estimated £3.6-£5 million were reported stolen through shoplifting, which accounts for almost 40% of all recorded acquisitive crime across the country.
It is thought that organised crime groups are responsible for around a third of these thefts. Retail groups, believe the true cost is far higher, with losses across Scotland exceeding £170 million a year.
In response to the ongoing rise in retail offences, Police Scotland received a funding allocation of £3m for the year 2025/26 and used this capital to launch the Retail Crime Taskforce.
The unit is dedicated to ensuring police, retailers and stakeholders can work together to try to stop retail crime through crime prevention and deter people becoming involved in such offences through education and diversionary support.
Where retail crime occurs, the Taskforce seeks to help mitigate the impact by improving processes such as reporting of offences to Police Scotland and conducting regular enforcement activity to bring those responsible to justice.
Since April, dedicated Taskforce officers and operations supported by the Taskforce have helped detect more than 2000 retail offences within Scotland.
In addition to the financial impact of shoplifting, the human cost of retail theft is incalculable. As part of the Crimestoppers initiative, the charity spoke to the public and retail staff about the impact of theft from the shops they worked in.
Many said they felt ‘afraid’ and ‘anxious’ at work. Several who witnessed crimes were left unable to return to work. Some smaller, local businesses were considering closing because of the daily threat of thefts.
Two recent incidents shared by Retailers Against Crime underline the human impact:
A man was stopped by -staff, and this caused him to produce a large kitchen knife before threatening them with it. The male then fled the premises, and the store called the police. He was stopped, arrested and the knife was retained.
Another worker was assaulted after confronting a man who had left a store without paying for items. The offender later returned and physically attacked the security guard.
Angela Parker, National Manager of Crimestoppers Scotland said: “Our charity wants to empower communities and retail staff to pass on information anonymously about WHO is behind, organised shop theft.
“Your information could help prevent serious abuse and violent incidents and help Scotland’s shop workers feel safer at work. You will never be asked for your name or any personal details, and your information could make a real difference.”
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: “The Scottish Government recognises the harm caused by retail crime to businesses and those that work there.
“Our budget for 2025/26 has made an additional £3 million available to Police Scotland to help tackle the issue, which has led to the establishment of their Retail Crime Taskforce.
“Alongside our partners we want to prevent such incidents and pursue those responsible. I commend Crimestoppers, Police Scotland and all involved for raising awareness of this important issue as we approach the festive season, and their continuing efforts in this area.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Strategic Lead for Acquisitive Crime, said: “We recognised that retail offences were contributing to the overwhelming majority of acquisitive crimes taking place across Scotland and having a significant impact on businesses and retail staff.
“In response, and through engagement with the Scottish Government, we set out a strategy for addressing this.
“Thanks to a £3m funding allocation for the year 2025/26, we were able to establish the Retail Crime Taskforce and since April, this dedicated unit has supported local policing divisions across Scotland to address retail crime, work closely with those in the retail sector to consider and enhance their security measures and bring offenders to justice.
“We also know that partnership work, such as this campaign, helps raise the profile of retail crime, so all relevant groups and individuals can reflect on the role they can play in tackling offences of this nature.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Knight from the Retail Crime Taskforce added: “Our mission statement could not be simpler. We must reduce retail crime in all its forms and ensure that we work closely with the retail sector and retail workers to mitigate against the devastating impact of retail crime on those affected.
“Enforcement plays a key role and over the last seven months, thousands of offences have been detected by dedicated Taskforce resources supporting their local policing colleagues.
“However, Police cannot solve this problem alone and that is why we are collaborating with Crimestoppers to raise awareness around the impact of Retail Crime on retailers, their staff and local communities, and urge those who have information about individuals committing retail crime, or those selling and buying stolen retail property to report it. Retail crime is not victimless and together we can make a difference”
Lucy Brown, Retail Industry Leadership Co Chair, said, on behalf of the Retail Industry Leaders Group (RILG) “I am pleased to see the progress the Retail Crime Task Force is making, and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to ensure its continued success.”
Stephanie Karte, CEO Retailers Against Crime: “Retail crime is not a victimless offence and partnership working is key to tackling the growing threat faced by retailers and their staff.
“At Retailers Against Crime, we are seeing a sharp rise in incidents across our member network, with offenders becoming increasingly bold and organised. By working together in partnership, we can address this problem more effectively.
“We are stronger together and we urge the public to report any activity that may help identify or deter those responsible. The more eyes and ears we have, the greater our ability to disrupt criminal behaviour and make a real difference in keeping our communities safe.”
Operation Moonbeam deployments have concluded and we’d like to thank the overwhelming majority of the public who have enjoyed the Halloween celebrations in the right spirit (no pun intended!)
A few incidents of minor antisocial behaviour involving fireworks were reported within Edinburgh, Midlothian and Glasgow, and inquiries into these are ongoing.
In total, four Dispersal Orders were issued in the South East of Edinburgh.
There have been no reports of any injuries to date.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “I’m really encouraged that we have not seen the same levels of disorder that we experienced last Halloween and thankful that we’ve not had any reported injuries to those emergency services, bus drivers, or members of the public.
“We will continue to have enhanced resources in place over the weekend and into next week ahead of Bonfire Night and I would again encourage our communities to enjoy the coming days responsibly and help us keep everyone safe.
“I’m grateful to the public for their overwhelming support of our policing operation and my thanks go to all officers, emergency service colleagues and other key partners who have played a vital role in protecting communities, or ensuring that vital services have been provided to those who needed them.”
Did you know it’s illegal to set off or throw fireworks in a public space, like your street or the local park?
If you know someone putting themselves or others at risk by letting off fireworks or deliberately starting fires, you can speak to us or Crimestoppers.
Anything you share with them stays 100% anonymous. Always.
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