London's Oxford Street and other flagship high streets are at 'serious risk' without urgent national action on crime, a consortium of retailers warned today.
The West End shopping destination has struggled in recent years as big names have moved out and it has become known for phone snatching, anti-social behaviour and theft – as well as the infamously tacky US-style sweet shops and souvenir stores.
Some empty stores in the street have fallen into disrepair while shoplifting has become an increasing problem and rough sleepers are a regular sight in storefronts.
Problems reached a peak in August 2023 when West End stores were forced to lower their shutters and lock customers inside after large groups of mainly young men and teenagers responded to a call on TikTok to join an 'Oxford Circus JD robbery'.
But the biggest issue in recent months has become phone snatching after 80,000 smartphones were reported stolen in London last year at a cost of £50million.
