The BBC can confirm that it has commissioned Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting for BBC Three and iPlayer, along with other ongoing projects, including an additional documentary single and two series, in the week the documentary and presenter receive the prestigious Trustees’ Award at the Grierson from this year. Awards.

Britain is in the grip of a burglary epidemic with recorded crimes at their highest level since records began. Shoplifting now costs UK businesses £1.8bn a year and a quarter of Brits admit to shoplifting. How did the theft get so out of control and who are the people behind it?

From young graduates who think they’re owed more by society, to those who steal more than they paid for, to those who say they’re just doing it to survive, Stacey will reveal the many reasons people steal. Stacey will also meet those on the front line to try to deter and catch thieves, seeing firsthand the extreme measures some businesses have to take to avoid losing hundreds and thousands of pounds of stock. She will meet shop floor workers and witness the impact that constant shoplifting has on their lives and meet staff who have been subjected to violence and abuse from shoplifters as they try to do their jobs.

The Luton-born presenter is recognized for her outstanding contribution to the art and craft of documentary, starring in numerous BBC titles including Stacey Dooley: Next, Stacey Dooley: Ready for war? And Two Daughters. Dooley has made over 70 documentaries for the BBC exploring a wide range of subjects, with a focus on social issues such as child labour, women in developing countries, slavery and the illegal drug trade.

Her career began after an appearance in the BBC Three documentary Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts in 2008. The Grierson Award trustees were impressed by how Dooley forged her career without a journalism or broadcasting background and brought a fresh perspective to the genre .

Stacey’s previous awards include the Popular Feature Award at the One World Media Awards for Face to Face with ISIS, Best Presenter at the Women in Film and Television Awards 2021 and Screen Personality at the RTS East Awards 2023 for Two Daughters. She was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting in 2018.

Stacey Dooley says: “I am incredibly honored to receive the Grierson Trustee Award. With shoplifting on the rise, it feels more important than ever to spend the right amount of time with the people and complexities involved. This recognition fuels my commitment to continue telling these stories, and I am grateful for all the support – and those who have supported me from the beginning – that allow me to keep moving forward.”

Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentary, says: “Stacey Dooley has taken documentary audiences to some of the most challenging places and I’m delighted to see her talent recognized as this year’s recipient of the Grierson Trustees’ Award 2024. Stacey’s latest film explores an epidemic on the street, spending time with young thieves and shop staff on the front line. This, along with other films Stacey and I are working on, will bring a unique insight into the changing face of modern Britain.”

Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting (1×60′) is produced by Little Dooley for BBC Three and iPlayer. Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting was commissioned by Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentary and Nasfim Haque, Head of Content, BBC Three. The executive producers are Claire Hughes for Little Dooley and the commissioning editors are Fran Baker and Raphaelle O’Loan. Daniel Harrison will direct.

Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting will be broadcast on BBC Three and iPlayer in 2025. More details to be announced in due course.

JS

Sources:

• British Retail Consortium – £1.8 billion lost to theft
• YouGov survey 2020 – A quarter of Britons have stolen