Stolen pint glasses are costing pubs in the UK around £133 million a year, according to a report by Good Morning Britain (GMB).
A survey by Simple Business showed that around 35% of Brits admitted to stealing a pint glass in the past year, resulting in a total of 38 million stolen glasses.
And while one lady on GMB said "you're not British if you don't do that", these stolen glasses have cost pubs more than £133 million.
A survey has revealed that 35% of Brits admit taking a glass home from the pub in the past year.
And it's costing landlords more than a £130 million pounds to replace them.
We sent Philip Sime to the pub to find out more. pic.twitter.com/fvPwhOoEAw— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 19, 2026
Brewer and broadcaster Jaega Wise warned that if these levels of theft continued, there would be consequences.
Speaking to GMB, Wise said: "Of course it's not a victimless crime. It costs breweries, and it costs pubs a lot of money.
"At the end of the day, anything that costs pubs and breweries more money, eventually will end up in the price of our pints."
Have you ever stolen a pint glass from a pub?
All the pub-goers shown on the GMB report admitted to stealing a pint from their local pub, while other viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on the issue.
Have you ever stolen a pint glass from a pub? (Image: PA)
One person, posting on X (formerly Twitter), commented: "Our house was full of Joseph holt ashtrays and Stella and Heineken glasses."
Another added: "40 years as a landlord more glasses are smashed than stolen by both staff and customers its part of running pubs it's something we as landlords have come to expect."
While this viewer said: "Brits treating pubs like souvenir shops. Pay for your pint, not the glass too."
A fourth person suggested just asking the bar staff for the glass rather than stealing it, posting: "Our Daughter was over from Australia and we took her to The Vestry Pilot Pub.
"She had a lovely glass with a fancy pattern, she jokingly asked the landlord if she could have it and he replied “my pleasure take it back to Oz”."
Have you ever stolen a pint glass from a pub?
What is the penalty for stealing a pint glass from a pub?
Stealing a pint glass could result in patrons being banned from the pub or being refused service.
Taking a glass from a pub without permission is also theft (Theft Act 1968) from a criminal law standpoint, Mortons Solicitors explains.
The legal experts continue: "There’s no ambiguity about it — if you walk off with property belonging to another, with the intention to permanently deprive them of it, you’re committing an offence.
"The value of the item doesn’t matter. Even a 60p pint glass qualifies as property under the Act.
"While theft on this small scale is unlikely to lead to a custodial sentence, it could still result in a criminal record — especially if you’re caught repeatedly or act in a way that draws police attention."
The maximum penalty for theft in the UK, under the Theft Act 1968, is seven years, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
A theft case can be taken to either the Magistrates' Court (lower offence) or Crown Court (higher offence), with the penalty dependent on the severity.
Mortons Solicitors said while it is "unlikely" you will be taken to court over a stolen pint glass, it doesn't mean patrons are "in the clear".
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It added: "Pubs are well within their rights to report repeat offenders, and if someone is caught in the act, they could be detained and even banned from venues.
"If the police get involved, you may end up with a formal caution or worse.
"It might be a ‘rite of passage’ to some, but commonplace behaviour isn’t a legal defence."
Have you ever stolen a pint glass from a pub? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
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