No one-size-fits-all solution to shoplifting

The annual number of shoplifting offences cannot be established precisely; for 2024 an indicative estimate puts it between almost 650,000 and over 1,000,000. That is far more than the 40,000 shoplifting cases registered by the police each year. When shoplifters are caught, in most cases no report is filed. According to both retailers and experts, greeting or addressing customers works best to prevent shoplifting. But there are more preventive measures, for example in the field of technology with AI, or through more training of store staff. Better registration of thieves with a store ban and centrally organising the reporting of shoplifting can also help. There is, however, no single ready-made solution to shoplifting. What is effective depends on the type of store and the type of shoplifter.

The WODC wrote an accompanying memorandum (aanbiednota) with this report.^[1]

On 21 April 2026, Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) sent the parliamentary letter with the policy response to the WODC study ‘Buiten beeld’ (‘Out of sight’) to the President of the House of Representatives.^{[2], [3]}