Rising Crime Costs UK Economy £250 Billion Annually
Various different Euros background
A new report by Policy Exchange, supported by former Chancellor and Home Secretary Sajid Javid, reveals that rising crime rates are costing the UK economy up to £250 billion per year.
Key Findings:
✔ Cuts to police funding, prisons, and the justice system have contributed to soaring crime rates.
✔ Retail theft, violent crime, and public safety concerns are discouraging consumer activity, impacting GDP by up to 10%.
✔ Shoplifting has increased by 51% since 2015, while knife crime is up by 89%.
Policy Exchange recommends:
✔ £5 billion in additional annual investment in policing, prisons, and courts.
✔ Harsher sentencing for repeat offenders.
✔ Stricter immigration policies for foreign nationals with criminal records.
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer has long criticised policing budget cuts, concerns remain about whether his government will prioritise crime prevention amid broader fiscal constraints.
