Tougher Sentences Needed to Counter Shop Theft Rise
11 Oct 2006
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reacted with concern over new figures which show shop theft has risen by 70% since 2000.
According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey shop crime cost an estimated £2.1bn in 2005, and has cost Britain’s retailers £13.26bn since 2000.
The figures also show that as the number of shoplifting incidents increases so too does the threat of violence against staff, with 60% of violent incidents that happen in stores occurring when staff attempt to detain criminals or protect property from theft.
James Lowman, ACS Director of Public Affairs, said: “Shop theft is not a victimless crime; it affects the livelihoods of thousands of retailers and their staff each year. To counter this there has to be effective measures to deter and prosecute criminals. This can only work if retailers report crimes. Police act on those reports and once apprehended the offenders are effectively prosecuted. It is essential strong action is taken against these criminals.
“These latest figures are further evidence that the recent proposals by the Sentencing Advisory Panel are wrong to suggest removing custodial sentences for shop theft. This sends out entirely the wrong message at a time when shop theft is increasing. We are also concerned about the link to violence, which reinforces our view that shop theft links strongly to anti-social behaviour within communities.”
Contacts
Rachel Lawson – Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton / Julie Kirby – Grappa
020 7486 4448
According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey shop crime cost an estimated £2.1bn in 2005, and has cost Britain’s retailers £13.26bn since 2000.
The figures also show that as the number of shoplifting incidents increases so too does the threat of violence against staff, with 60% of violent incidents that happen in stores occurring when staff attempt to detain criminals or protect property from theft.
James Lowman, ACS Director of Public Affairs, said: “Shop theft is not a victimless crime; it affects the livelihoods of thousands of retailers and their staff each year. To counter this there has to be effective measures to deter and prosecute criminals. This can only work if retailers report crimes. Police act on those reports and once apprehended the offenders are effectively prosecuted. It is essential strong action is taken against these criminals.
“These latest figures are further evidence that the recent proposals by the Sentencing Advisory Panel are wrong to suggest removing custodial sentences for shop theft. This sends out entirely the wrong message at a time when shop theft is increasing. We are also concerned about the link to violence, which reinforces our view that shop theft links strongly to anti-social behaviour within communities.”
Contacts
Rachel Lawson – Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton / Julie Kirby – Grappa
020 7486 4448