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Rates of theft and violence against shop staff across Britain have risen to record levels, according to new data.
About 5.6 million theft incidents were recorded in 2023, more than five times the previous record of 1.1 million theft incidents recorded in 2022, according to a report issued by the Convenience Stores Association published on Monday.
James Lowman, chief executive of ACS, which represents 49,000 convenience stores across the UK, said the problem had “worsened” and “cannot be allowed to continue”.
The figures showed that about 76,000 incidents of violence were reported in stores last year, up from 41,000 in 2022.
The organization estimated that shoplifting cost shopkeepers an average of £4,946 per store, with meat, alcohol and sweets being the most frequently stolen products.
The report follows similar data released by the British Retail Consortium last month which revealed the challenges facing retailers during the cost of living crisis.
The BRC, which represents more than 200 major UK companies, said violence and abuse against staff rose to 1,300 incidents a day during the 12 months to the end of August 2023, up from around 870 a day during the same period the previous year. The cost of theft has also doubled to £1.8bn, from £953m, with more than 45,000 incidents a day.
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Retailers, including Primark and John Lewis, have previously warned that crime is putting pressure on profits.
Lohmann acknowledged recent efforts in which the police, government and retailers were partnered with the launch of measures known as the Retail Crime Action Plan in October. But he said “more.” [needed] “It needs to be done urgently” to address the problem, including more neighborhood policing and better use of technology to catch criminals.
Chief Superintendent Alex Goss, Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council for Retail Crime, said: “Retail crime can have a significant impact on victims, which is why we are committed to doing everything we can to reduce thefts and catch criminals.”
He added that police forces are “already seeing positive results” from implementing the measures contained in the anti-retail crime action plan.
According to the ACS report, crime rates are fueled by people with addiction problems stealing to fund their drug habits. Higher value store items, such as meat and alcohol, can usually be sold.
More than three-quarters of retailers also reported a rise in gang-related criminal activity last year.
Benedict Selvaratnam, who runs Freshfields Market in London, said he had witnessed first-hand the “escalating challenge of shoplifting”.
“This issue not only impacts the already strained financial position of our business, but also puts our employees and customers in distress,” he added.
The Home Office said: “The Police Minister has made it clear that the police must take a zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting. Violence against a retail worker is unacceptable, which is why we have made it an aggravated crime to ensure harsher penalties for perpetrators.
