In 1982, there were 242,304 shoplifting offenses recorded by the police. Although this was the highest annual figure for shoplifting ever recorded, the rate of increase has fluctuated in recent years. It is generally believed that only a minority of shoplifting offenses are recorded. The value of recorded shoplifting offenses is generally low, under five pounds in half the cases. The great increase in recorded shoplifting since the war reflects considerable changes in shopping patterns in Britain, particularly the decline in the number of small shops and the increase in the number of large stores. Over a third of all alleged shoplifters dealt with by the police are warned rather than prosecuted. The known offender is typically a young male. There appears to be little difference in the ages of male and female shoplifters, with over half being under 21-years-old. Shops can take a variety of preventive steps. A shop design that enhances surveillance, clear price labelling of goods, insistence on wrapping goods at check-outs, electronic tags, and secure displays can cut theft. Tables are included.