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Capturing data…
TUE, 22 SEPT · 78 ITEMS
"Prolific UK shoplifters behind more than 28,000 offences; just 270 people linked to the surge" — BBC News (UK) · United Kingdom
A BBC data investigation has found that a tiny group of just 270 repeat offenders—termed ''—are linked to more than 28,000 shoplifting in the UK. This highlights how a very small number of individuals account for a disproportionate share of retail crime, often driving surges in overall shoplifting figures.
The claim comes from a BBC analysis of police data, likely sourced from local force records or the National Police Chiefs' Council, making it a primary-source-level investigation. The figure (270 people, 28,000+ offences) is presented as a data-driven finding, though the underlying dataset's methodology (how 'prolific' is defined, time period, and regional coverage) is not detailed in the headline alone.
Genuinely new: this appears to be a fresh data release or investigative report published by the BBC, with recent social-media references confirming current news coverage.