Retailers face rising theft and violence, prompting calls for urgent action
London:
Retailers are facing huge losses from theft and violence. A recent survey shows incidents are at record levels. The British Retail Association is calling for immediate action from police and the government.
In the last year, theft losses reached £2.2 billion, up from £1.8 billion. Despite investing £1.8 billion in security, retailers are still struggling against thieves.
Assaults and abuse against staff have skyrocketed. There are over 2,000 incidents daily, a 340% increase since 2020. Many incidents involve weapons and racial abuse.
Only 10% of these incidents see police involvement. However, a new partnership called Pegasus is improving police engagement. Attendance at crime scenes has increased significantly.
The Co-op Group reports better police response since October 2023. They are also using AI technology to detect theft and violence in stores.
Last year, the Co-op spent £5 million on secure kiosks to protect high-value items. They report about 1,000 incidents of crime daily, with violence down by 13%.
Crime levels vary by area. The Met police handle a disproportionate amount of crime compared to other regions. Rising living costs may worsen the shoplifting crisis.
Many offenders are stealing for resale, not survival. The retail sector faces a £4 billion bill for theft and security measures this year.
Proposals are in place to strengthen laws against shoplifting and assaulting retail workers. The BRC warns that retail crime is spiraling out of control.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson stated that rising theft and violence are unacceptable. The government plans to introduce new laws to protect retail workers.
