The number of people claiming Universal Credit in the UK has reached a record 8 million, with an increase of over one million claimants since the Labour Party took power. This rise in benefit claimants includes a growing segment not required to seek employment. Concurrently, Britain is experiencing a surge in serious crime, including a 20% increase in shoplifting, a 15% rise in theft from the person, and over 78,000 robberies reported in the year to March 2025, with robberies of business premises up by 50%. Amid this crime wave, some policing chiefs have urged the public to take a more active role in standing up to shoplifters rather than relying solely on police intervention. However, there is debate about the risks to citizens, with opinions cautioning against expecting Britons to confront criminals directly. The situation has sparked criticism of the justice system, with calls to prioritize victims' rights and concerns about law enforcement strategies such as Surrey Police’s county-wide sting operation aimed at addressing the crime surge.