Theft and violence in UK shops reaches record levels
Theft and violence in UK shops reaches record levels
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Retailers have suffered unprecedented annual levels of shoplifting losses and incidents of violence and abuse against staff, according to industry data, although one major chain has told Sky News there are now signs of a fightback. The British Retail Association (BRC) used the publication of its annual retail crime survey, covering the 12 months to April 2024, to demand an urgent police and government response to mounting industry losses and incidents of assault.
The survey showed £2.2bn of recorded store losses from theft - up from £1.8bn over the previous 12 months. That was despite a £1.8bn industry investment on bolstering security over the period in a bid to get ahead of the thieves, from those operating independently to organised criminal networks.
Assaults and abuse were up 340% on 2020/21, according to the survey, at more than 2,000 incidents per day - a hike of more than 50% on the previous 12 months - with many involving racial abuse and, 70 times per day on average, the use of a weapon. Just 10% of incidents of violence or abuse resulted in police attendance, the report said.
But the Co-op Group's lead on retail crime said that a partnership known as Pegasus, which began in October 2023, was starting to bear fruit for retailers. Hobbycraft-owner Modella circles WH Smith high street chain. The Original Factory Shop close to Baaj Capital sale.
