Retail Crime Costs at 10 year high

 

The value of goods stolen from shops is at a ten year high and violent acts against retail staff have risen by 50% in a year according to the 2007 Retail Crime Survey carried out by the British Retail Consortium.

 

The survey has showed that in cases where the shoplifter was prosecuted, goods worth £205 million had been taken, which is up 8% from £189 million the previous year.  Previous reports from the BRC have shown that 75% of losses go undetected which would equate to a staggering £830 million of goods being stolen last year.

 

The increased costs of detected thefts indicate a combination of more thefts, higher value thefts and retailers increased investment in security measures.  The number of detected shoplifting incidents rose by nearly 3% to almost 40 per store which the average value of thefts increasing by £7 to £156 from £149.  Not all shop crimes were committed by petty criminals as many were committed by those fuelling a drug addiction.

 

Many retailers are extremely aggrieved that retail crime is treated so lightly.  This has led to under reporting of incidents, especially among smaller retailers who believe retail crime is not taken seriously by police or judiciary and reporting it achieves nothing.  Earlier this year the BRC had said that the introduction of fixed penalties for those caught stealing goods has led to a big increase in shoplifting.  In 2004, police were given the power to issue £80 fines instead of an arrest for first time offences and thefts of goods worth less than £200.

 

British Retail Consortium Director General Kevin Hawkins said:
"Last year shop staff were subjected to around half a million incidents of abuse or violence in their work places and retailers clocked up even greater losses to theft. It's clear the current approach is not working.

"The Government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime as victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals. Most shop thieves are driven by drug addiction. They are certainly responsible for other crimes. They have a significant impact on our communities.

"In pledging an increased emphasis on ‘Neighbourhood Policing' and, so called, policing by participation the Government must recognise retailers are a valuable asset to our communities and that shop workers are citizens within those communities, worthy of protection. Not just part of a large industry that can go on taking this annual beating."