The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has said the government needs to take the issue of retail crime more seriously.
Speaking after the ACS met with MP Philip Dunne to discuss the issue, chief executive James Lowman said retail crime is often “wrongly dismissed as victimless”.
He commented: “Policy on retail crime needs to reflect the importance of local shops … it has a significant impact not only on the business and its owners, but on the wider community as well.”
The ACS presented its submission to the Conservative Retail Crime Commission, which has consulted retailers as they look to create policies in this area.
Dunne said he is concerned about the “lack of concern” given to retail crime given by the government and the public.
He and the ACS looked at how retailers can tackle crime on a daily basis during the latter’s Crime Prevention Forum
Edward Garnier MP, shadow minister for justice, last month attacked Penalty Notices for Disorder, calling them an ineffective way of tackling retail crime.
Figures suggest shoplifting has risen since the onset of the credit crunch.
