THE number of over-60s stealing from shops is rising faster than other age groups, figures show.
A total of 646 silver shoplifters, many serial offenders, were taken to court for swiping food, drink and clothes in the year to September 2025.
The figure is up 171 per cent in three years from 236 prosecuted in 2022.
Across all age groups, the number facing justice has risen by 132 per cent to 46,000, analysis by The Sun on Sunday shows.
But the true figure is likely to be at least five times higher, as Home Office statistics show that suspects are charged in only around 19 per cent of cases.
Over-60s’ pilfering hotspots are London, Manchester and West Mids.
Security companies say they have also noticed a surge in older thieves.
Last year, 15 per cent of over-60s shoplifters were sent to prison, mostly those with a lengthy criminal record.
In 2024, we revealed supermarkets were putting tags on Werther’s Originals and slippers.
