ACS Speaks Out on Retail Crime
24 Jan 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the campaigning voice of local shops has called for the Government to take shop crime more seriously. ACS argues that serial shop thieves are being treated too leniently.
ACS called for a review of the effectiveness of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) scheme which allows first time shop theft offenders to be given an on-the spot fine for shop theft and submitted its response to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s consultation on sentences handed down for theft and dishonesty offences.
In a letter to Gerry Sutcliffe, Under Secretary of State for criminal justice and offender management, ACS raised concerns that PNDs, which were introduced in 2004, are being given to persistent offenders. ACS has also questioned the effectiveness of PNDs as a deterrent against shop theft, and called for a full review of how they are being used.
The letter comes as Home Secretary John Reid has asked Magistrates to limit jail sentences due to a lack of room in prisons.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Shop crime has fallen too far down the Government’s agenda and it’s time that they started to take stronger action to combat retail crime. We are concerned by the Home Secretary’s comment that offenders should face lesser sanctions because of pressure on the penal system.
“Only first time offenders should receive an on-the-spot fine- they should not be used for persistent offenders. We need a full review of the PND scheme to measure their effectiveness as a deterrent and ensure that Police are following the agreed operational guidelines. PNDs should not be used as a way of keeping the prison population down and persistent offenders must receive a custodial sentence.”
ACS has also told the Sentencing Advisory Panel that there must be strong sentences for employees who steal from their employers, offenders who burgle shops, and drivers who make off without paying for petrol. In response to the SAP’s consultation on theft and dishonesty offences ACS has made clear the fear, stress and financial harm these crimes cause to local shops.
James Lowman continues: “The Sentencing Advisory Panel must recognise the impact these crimes have on shop owners, not only because of the financial impact this has on their business but also because having employees steal, a premises burgled or a person drive off without paying for their petrol causes fear and stress for retailers. Having your store burgled, especially when you live above it as many retailers do, is just as frightening as having their home broken into.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7 4864448
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. A PND of £80 can be given for retail theft under £200, but should only be done so for first time offenders and in consultation with the retailer. In 2005 there were 21,997 PNDs given for retail theft under £200. For the first six months of 2006 this figure was 16,807.
3. The Association of Convenience Stores has responded to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s previous consultation on sentences for shop theft, which proposed removing custodial sentences for even the most persistent shop thieves. ACS opposes any removal of custodial sentences, which would send entirely the wrong message to both criminals and retailers.
ACS called for a review of the effectiveness of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) scheme which allows first time shop theft offenders to be given an on-the spot fine for shop theft and submitted its response to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s consultation on sentences handed down for theft and dishonesty offences.
In a letter to Gerry Sutcliffe, Under Secretary of State for criminal justice and offender management, ACS raised concerns that PNDs, which were introduced in 2004, are being given to persistent offenders. ACS has also questioned the effectiveness of PNDs as a deterrent against shop theft, and called for a full review of how they are being used.
The letter comes as Home Secretary John Reid has asked Magistrates to limit jail sentences due to a lack of room in prisons.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Shop crime has fallen too far down the Government’s agenda and it’s time that they started to take stronger action to combat retail crime. We are concerned by the Home Secretary’s comment that offenders should face lesser sanctions because of pressure on the penal system.
“Only first time offenders should receive an on-the-spot fine- they should not be used for persistent offenders. We need a full review of the PND scheme to measure their effectiveness as a deterrent and ensure that Police are following the agreed operational guidelines. PNDs should not be used as a way of keeping the prison population down and persistent offenders must receive a custodial sentence.”
ACS has also told the Sentencing Advisory Panel that there must be strong sentences for employees who steal from their employers, offenders who burgle shops, and drivers who make off without paying for petrol. In response to the SAP’s consultation on theft and dishonesty offences ACS has made clear the fear, stress and financial harm these crimes cause to local shops.
James Lowman continues: “The Sentencing Advisory Panel must recognise the impact these crimes have on shop owners, not only because of the financial impact this has on their business but also because having employees steal, a premises burgled or a person drive off without paying for their petrol causes fear and stress for retailers. Having your store burgled, especially when you live above it as many retailers do, is just as frightening as having their home broken into.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7 4864448
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. A PND of £80 can be given for retail theft under £200, but should only be done so for first time offenders and in consultation with the retailer. In 2005 there were 21,997 PNDs given for retail theft under £200. For the first six months of 2006 this figure was 16,807.
3. The Association of Convenience Stores has responded to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s previous consultation on sentences for shop theft, which proposed removing custodial sentences for even the most persistent shop thieves. ACS opposes any removal of custodial sentences, which would send entirely the wrong message to both criminals and retailers.