Research by consultancy Newton Europe and charity Revolving Doors estimates that as few as 29,000 prolific criminals are responsible for more than 130,000 crimes a year, costing society around £5 billion.
The analysis, unveiled at the Labour Party conference, focused on offenders convicted of eight or more crimes. Many served short prison terms for offences ranging from shoplifting to assault. The study also factored in the wider cost to public services including the NHS, councils and social care as well as the impact on businesses from theft and violence against staff.
On average, each offender accounted for £172,000 in public spending, covering prison time, treatment for addiction, injuries and mental ill health.
Ben Harris, a director at Newton Europe, said:
“This persistent, low-level crime has a really pernicious effect on society more generally and a really significant effect on our public services.”
The report also highlights a sharp rise in shoplifting. Police recorded more than 530,000 shop thefts in England and Wales in the year to March up 19 per cent on the previous year, or roughly three every minute.
Researchers found that more than half of repeat offenders struggled with “unmet needs”, often linked to poor mental health, drug or alcohol dependency, or school exclusion. Harris warned of “a really worrying, very traceable correlation” between such issues and the risk of long-term reoffending.
The findings come as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood promised a “winter of action” against shoplifting, partnering police with businesses to deter theft.
The government has also proposed ending short-term prison sentences, arguing that community-based punishments and rehabilitation lead to lower reoffending rates.
The full report will be published on 20 October.
