Key Summary
- Kemi Badenoch says rising shoplifting is worsening because people aren’t stepping in and urges stronger public response.
- She promises tougher action, more policing, and stricter enforcement if Conservatives win locally.
- Focus issue ahead of local elections on 7 May 2026.
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch expressed concern over the rise in shoplifting incidents and urged the people to take the culprits head on.
She told Times Radio that the failure of the public to intervene have made shoplifters and other criminals think that they can easily get away with it.
The Tory leader said she would be prepared to confront a shoplifter if they were “not too big”, and people who are stronger “should do more”.
Badenoch had highlighted the problem of shoplifting during a speech launching the Conservative Party’s local election campaign in Croydon.
She claimed that shoplifting has become a widespread menace in the region and the culprits are having a free run at boutiques and supermarkets in the London locality.
The Conservatives’ local election campaign includes a call for greater action to tackle crimes such as shoplifting and drug taking.
She said her party is pitching for stronger enforcement. “We are bringing enforcement back, public order. It is not enough to look away when we see people taking drugs openly in parks.”
She assured the public that more police officers will be deployed to investigate these issues and ensure justice under the guidance of the Conservative councils.
The council elections will take place on 7 May, 2026.
