Theft and violence in UK’s small shops soars to record levels

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Theft and violence against workers in convenience stores across Britain have soared to record levels, according to new data. 

About 5.6mn incidents of theft were recorded in 2023, more than a fivefold increase from the previous record of 1.1mn set in 2022, according to a report by the Association of Convenience Stores published on Monday. 

James Lowman, chief executive of ACS, which represents 49,000 small shops across the UK, said the problem “has got worse” and “cannot be allowed to continue”. 

The figures showed that there were about 76,000 incidents of violence reported in shops last year, up from 41,000 in 2022.

Shoplifting was costing shop owners an average of £4,946 per store, the organisation estimated, with meat, alcohol and confectionery the most commonly stolen products. 

The report follows similar data released by the British Retail Consortium last month that laid bare the challenges faced by retailers during the cost of living crisis.

The BRC, which represents more than 200 major companies in the UK, said violence and abuse against staff rose to 1,300 incidents a day in the 12 months to the end of August 2023 up from almost 870 a day during the same period a year earlier. The cost of theft also doubled to £1.8bn, from £953mn, with more than 45,000 incidents a day. 

Retailers including Primark and John Lewis have previously warned that crime is squeezing profits.

Lowman acknowledged recent efforts involving retailers by the police and the government with the launch of measures, known as the Retail Crime Action Plan, in October. But he said “more [needed] to be done urgently” to tackle the problem, including more neighbourhood policing and better use of technology to catch criminals. 

Chief Superintendent Alex Goss, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, said: “Retail crime can have a significant impact on victims which is why we are committed to doing all we can to reduce thefts and pursue offenders,”

He added that the police forces were “already seeing positive results” from the implementation of the measures in the Retail Crime Action Plan.

According to the ACS report, crimes rates were being fuelled by people with addiction problems were stealing to fund their drug habits. Higher-value shop items, such as meat and alcohol, can typically be sold on.

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 shop theft”. 

He added: “This issue not only affects our business’ already strained finances, but it also puts our staff and customers in distress.”

The Home Office said: “The policing minister has been clear police must take a zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting. Violence against a retail worker is unacceptable, which is why we made it an aggravating offence to ensure tougher sentences for perpetrators.