30 Oct 2007


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Retail crime costs at ten-year high


Crime

The value of goods stolen from shops is at a ten-year high, according to the British Retail Consortium's 2007 Retail Crime Survey, published today.

Violence is also on the increase

The survey shows, for UK retailing as whole, losses from detected customer theft rose by 8.5% from £189m to £205m.

Detected theft is where the thief was actually caught and prosecuted. Previous BRC surveys have shown 75% of losses go undetected.

The BRC said losses to undetected customer theft were likely to have risen by at least the same proportion, bringing the total cost of goods stolen to £830m.

Across stores of all types, the number of detected shoplifting incidents rose, year-on-year by nearly 3% to almost 40 per store per year, also the highest level for ten years. The average value of goods stolen in each incident rose by £7 from £149 to £156.

Figures already released by the BRC last month show that violence against shop staff rose by 50%, while threats of violence almost doubled.

The association said: “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.”

BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said: “The Government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime is 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.”

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