Billions lost from small retailers in tax evasion, says watchdog - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/sep/09/billions-lost-from-small-retailers-in-tax-evasion-says-watchdog "National Audit Office says trail of tax debts left by small UK retailers is widespread and increasing every year" tackling this should be priority - easy way to boost funding
Maybe people feel they are paying enough in things like business rates, If I ran a shop that was plagued by shoplifting and paid all the required taxes, I would expect the police to fully investigate every incident of shoplifting and the justice system to act.
I agree, was just trying to speculate as to why people would do this.
@zleap yes, certainly a plausible explanation