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Retailers across New York state say there’s no end in sight to the rising epidemic of organized shoplifting rings — and warn it could lead to more store closures, increased costs for consumers and threats of violence against store employees.

Store owners said they lost $4.4 billion last year as a result of retail theft — which they say adds to the urgency for Gov. Kathy Hochul to crack down.

However, Hochul vetoed a bipartisan bill last week — to the chagrin of store owners — that would have created a task force to combat organized theft.

Hochul rejected a proposal that would have created a 15-member panel made up of experts appointed by the governor, Legislature and the state attorney general that would have put together a list of recommendations to respond to retail theft.

The Retail Council of New York State, the Albany-based lobbying group which represents retailers statewide, said it was “extremely disappointed” by Hochul’s veto.

Melissa O’Connor, the president and CEO of the group, released a statement saying that she urged the governor to take “immediate action” so as to formulate “an effective, collaborative response to this problem.”

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“She made it abundantly clear that retail theft prevention will be a priority for her administration, and we look forward to working with her to achieve results,” O’Connor said.

A spokesperson for Hochul said that adopting the proposal would have cost the state $35 million — an expenditure that wasn’t allotted in the most recent budget.

Law enforcement officials from New York City to Albany to Syracuse have reported increases in incidents of retail theft — blaming the spike on progressive prosecutors who encourages criminal behavior with lenient punishment for shoplifters.

Last month, the chief of police in Syracuse said that the city has seen a 55% spike in shoplifting since 2021 — and that’s a conservative estimate.

That number is likely higher because businesses often dont report it — but they do continue to express concerns,” Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile said.

Cecile warned that small businesses are “having trouble sustaining themselves” in the face of the shoplifting campaign.

One local pharmacy chain in Syracuse alone suffered losses of more than $250,000 per year due to the epidemic of organized retail theft, Cecile told WSTM-TV last month.

So far this year, the Albany Police Department has fielded 23 calls for larcenies at a single Stewart’s convenience store on Central Avenue — up from 14 at the same time in 2022.

The rash of retail thefts at the location forced the owner to shut down.

“Retail theft at convenience stores throughout the state is not as organized as at some other retailers but is as dangerous and impactful,” Kent Sopris, president of the New York Association of Convenience Stores, told The Post.

“My members have reported theft that leaves stores in shambles as criminals seek cigarettes, lottery tickets, and anything they can get their hands on.”

Sopris said that convenience store clerks are “at extreme risk.”

“In fact one store reported a thief threw a pot of coffee at a clerk,” he told The Post, adding that his trade group “stands ready to work with state and local authorities and other business groups to take control of this issue.” 

As of Nov. 19, Albany police have arrested nearly 2,300 people for larceny and nearly 340 people have been accused of motor vehicle theft.

That’s well above the five-year average of 2,057 arrests for larceny and 281 for motor vehicle theft.

Shops in the Buffalo area, which have seen a gradual decline in the number of robberies and larcenies by year, have nonetheless pleaded with local police to step up patrols in response to a rash of organized retail thefts.

Stephen Lands, owner of Buffalo Fleece and Outerwear, told WIVB-TV in September that he may need to close his shop due to rampant theft of his merchandise.

In recent months, Lands said he has been robbed 20 times.

The police “usually blame it on bail reform and say they cant arrest them and it would just be an appearance ticket so its not worth coming I guess, Lands said.

Other businesses in the Elmwood Village district of Buffalo have lodged similar complaints.

This is one of the busiest business districts in Buffalo and it seems like theres no police presence,” Lands said. “People walk in and walk out everyday with stuff and it happens to all these stores.

Organized theft isn’t limited to upstate New York.

The Big Apple saw a 64% increase in reported incidents of retail theft during the four-year period between mid-2019 and June of this year, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.

A New York Police Department spokesperson pointed to crime statistics showing that there were more than 93,000 incidents of petty larceny through the end of October which is 29% higher compared to the same period two years ago but 5% lower compared to the same period last year.

Around one-third of all shoplifting arrests in the five boroughs last year involved just 327 people who were collectively arrested and re-arrested a total of more than 6,000 times, according to the NYPD.

These 327 alleged shoplifters targeted 18 department stores and seven chain pharmacy locations, which accounted for 20% of all complaints, the NYPD said.

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Politics

The ‘£7bn’ government secret

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The '£7bn' government secret

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈

Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so.

So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed.

Plus – the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip – officially for repeated defiance, but unofficially? A government source called it “persistent knobheadery”.

So is Keir Starmer tightening his grip or losing control? And how does this compare to rebellions of Labour past?

Oh and singer Chesney Hawkes gets an unexpected mention.

Responding to claims in the podcast about whether Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle could have scrutinised the government, a Commons spokesperson said: “As has been made clear, Mr Speaker was himself under a superinjunction, and so would have been under severe legal restrictions regarding speaking about this. He would have had no awareness which organisations or individuals were and were not already aware of this matter.

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“The injunction could not constrain proceedings in parliament and between being served with the injunction in September 2023 and the 2024 General Election Mr Speaker granted four UQs on matters relating to Afghan refugees and resettlement schemes.

“Furthermore, as set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Speaker has no powers to refer matters to the Intelligence and Security Committee.”

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World

England through to semi-finals of Women’s Euros after beating Sweden on penalties

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England through to semi-finals of Women's Euros after beating Sweden on penalties

England have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros after knocking out Sweden.

The Lionesses won 3-2 on penalties at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, after clawing their way back to take the game into extra-time.

The defending champions had been 2-0 down at half-time after goals from Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius in the quarter-final clash.

England then levelled matters towards the end of normal time. Lucy Bronze delivered the first England goal on 79 minutes, assisted by substitute Chloe Kelly. Two minutes later, Michelle Agyemang followed suit, taking the score to 2-2.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (R) celebrates with teammates after the side beat Sweden. Pic: AP
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England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (R) celebrates with teammates after the side beat Sweden. Pic: AP

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Bronze’s penalty kept England’s hopes alive. Pic: Reuters

After a goalless extra-time, it was time for penalties.

Alessia Russo kicked things off, finding the back of the net for England, before Lauren James, Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead and Grace Clinton had their attempts saved by Sweden’s Jennifer Falk.

The game was sent into sudden death after Falk went face-to-face with England’s Hannah Hampton but sent the ball flying over the crossbar.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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A devastated Sweden. Pic: Reuters

It all came down to Sweden’s seventh penalty after Bronze sensationally scored, with 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg missing the chance to send her team through.

England will next face Italy in the semi-finals in Geneva on Tuesday.

‘That was crazy’

England boss Sarina Wiegman described the action as “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched”.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Sarina Wiegman after the match. Pic: Reuters

“We could have been out of the game three or four times, when you’re 2-0 at half-time it’s not good,” she said after the match.

“Although we started really bad, at the end it got better, but we didn’t create anything so we had to change shape, and we score two goals – that was crazy.

“We miss a lot [of penalties], and they miss even more. I need to decompress, I think.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Hannah Hampton still delivered with one nostril down. Pic: Reuters

Goalkeeper Hampton added that it was “stressful watching” and “stressful playing”.

The 24-year-old, who was left with a bloodied nose in extra-time, said: “Every time I saved one, I was just thinking ‘please put it in, so we have a bit of a cushion!’

“To be honest, I think I was better in the game when I had one nostril than when I was completely fine!”

She said it was the support of the England fans that helped the team push on. She said: “They were definitely behind me and I appreciate all the support.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Michelle Agyemang reacts after levelling the game for the Lionesses. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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Pic: Reuters

Pressure was on the Lionesses after they won the tournament in 2022.

Their journey in the group stages started with a 2-1 defeat to France, but hopes were lifted after England sailed past the Netherlands and Wales to reach the knockout stages, finishing second in Group D.

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Sweden on the other hand went into Thursday’s game unbeaten in the tournament so far, having already defeated Germany, Poland and Denmark in the group stages.

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World

Lionesses went from sloppy to celebratory in nerve-shredding euros quarter-final

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Lionesses went from sloppy to celebratory in nerve-shredding euros quarter-final

By the time Hannah Hampton appeared in the news conference, the England goalkeeper was relieved, ecstatic and wanting to share this night far and wide.

So when her phone started ringing with a FaceTime call, she broke off speaking to the media about reaching the Euros semi-finals to answer it.

And then share the call with the room in Zurich.

After such a nerve-shredding night, this was the moment to relax and just savour it all.

Savour how close they came to throwing it all away against Sweden before staging a stirring comeback inspired by Lucy Bronze.

The 33-year-old scored the goal that began the fightback with 11 minutes to go and converted England’s final penalty in the shootout.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Lucy Bronze converted England’s final penalty. Pic: Reuters

“Lucy Bronze is one of a kind,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said. “It’s that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”

The Lionesses looked down and out, 2-0 down after 25 minutes.

Completely outplayed. A defence run ragged. Just too sloppy.

“We said at half-time we don’t want to go home,” Hampton said. “So it’s up to us to turn the game around.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Things were not looking good for England by half-time. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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But the team managed to turn things around. Pic: Reuters

That only came after Wiegman deployed the substitutes the manager calls “finishers”.

They fulfilled their mission.

“Sweden in that moment had to adapt to some different things in the game,” Wiegman said, “before they could, it was 2-2.”

Within seconds of coming on, match-winner Chloe Kelly showed the missing spirit. The spirit that saw her score the Euro 2022 winner.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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Pic: Reuters

A creator of two goals in 103 seconds.

A cross headed in with 11 minutes to go by Bronze – the only player still playing from the Euro 2013 group-stage elimination.

It was a lifeline seized on so quickly.

Another cross from Kelly was this time brought down by Beth Mead before Michelle Agyemang.

The timeliest of goals from the teen – a first tournament goal on her third appearance as a sub.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Teenager Michelle Agyemang reacts after scoring England’s second goal in normal time. Pic: Reuters

But there would be the anxiousness of extra time to follow, unable to find a breakthrough.

So to the shootout that lasted 14 penalties between them.

Hampton said: “It was stressful watching and playing, I thought every single time when I saved one, ‘Please score and give us a cushion’. I feel so happy and relieved.”

Around Alessia Russo and Kelly scoring there were four England misses before Bronze converted England’s seventh and Sweden missed a fifth.

Read more:
How far has women’s football come since 1972?
Lioness star explains what ‘Proper England’ is

A frenzied 3-2 shootout win was complete.

“I can’t remember anything like this,” said Wiegman, who has only reached finals in her four tournaments with the Netherlands and England.

“I thought three times we were out,” she said.

But instead it’s off to Geneva for the European champions for a semi-final with Italy.

They’ll be hoping it’s less of a struggle, less dramatic – while just glad to have made it there.

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