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Nigel TAYLOR Published
November 15, 2025
Edinburgh's Royal Mile shopping district has become “lawless”, according to many of its retailers that are suffering thefts of thousands of pounds' worth of goods.
CCTV footage obtained by BBC News shows people walking out of stores with expensive cashmere scarves, jumpers and jackets in broad daylight. At night, other footage shows a man kicking in a plate-glass window to steal armfuls of Harris Tweed bags, costing up to £150 each.
Staff told the broadcaster that the area has become “dangerous and intimidating", and that despite reporting thefts to police on an almost daily basis, nothing has been done.
Although Police Scotland say a dedicated team is working with businesses in the area and is investigating every report, Galab Singh Gold, who owns dozens of stores on and around the Royal Mile, told BBC News he had lost £15,000 worth of stock to theft in the last three months.
He also faces the cost of replacing smashed windows -- with a bill for one incident costing £3,000.
He believes gangs are involved as he has noticed the same people stealing high-end items on various occasions. “Someone is either ordering these bags or they know people that are buying them so they know it will be easy to get rid of the bags," he said.
"The police say they don't have the resources to tackle something like this but it's not just petty crime any more — this is organised theft."
Calling the problem a “theftdemic” Singh Gold said he was going to have to employ security guards during the day at £8,000 a month.
Maria Sanchez, manager of Marchbrae, which sells high-end Highland and Country clothing, also told BBC Scotland she was punched in the face during one theft and that the thieves were "very aggressive… they know their rights, they know we cannot touch them and most of the staff are scared of them.”
Sabine Fischlin, manager of the Woollen Mill on the Royal Mile, said the situation had been getting "significantly worse" since August. Now staff remove all the Harris Tweed handbags from the shop windows before closing.
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton of Police Scotland told the broadcaster that the force was "fully aware" of ongoing issues with thefts in the area. He said there was a dedicated team working with businesses and that police carried out regular patrols.