The United Kingdom is facing a surge in shoplifting and related criminal activities, with police forces such as Lincolnshire Police described as underfunded and overstretched, limiting their ability to respond effectively. Business owners, including pharmacies, report widespread incidents of theft and vandalism, with nearly 90% of pharmacies in England affected. Some have resorted to installing body cameras as a deterrent. The National Pharmacy Association has characterized the issue as a broader societal problem. Concurrently, the Labour Party has been criticized for concealing the financial implications of the Chagos Islands surrender, with government documents revealing the cost to be around £35 billion, significantly higher than previously disclosed. The Reform Party has pledged to reverse the deal, condemning it as a surrender of a strategic UK asset. The Daily Telegraph and other outlets have highlighted the government's denial of the actuarial cost estimates. Public discourse also includes concerns that current laws appear to protect offenders rather than law-abiding citizens.