ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a HMICFRS consultation on the Proposed Programme of Policing Inspections for 2020/21.
The consultation seeks views on two key areas, these are:
- the overall shape and scope of the programme for the rest of 2020/21; and
- changes specific to the PEEL programme. The PEEL inspection programme is an assessment of the effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy of police forces in England and Wales.
In the submission, ACS called for HMICFRS to undertake a thematic review of police forces’ response to incidents of violence and abuse committed against the retail sector to promote an effective and consistent approach to tackling crime against local shops. ACS’ evidence highlights that 40% of convenience retailers saw an increase in violence abuse during the pandemic.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Crime has become an even bigger challenge for local shops as we implement rules on face coverings and social distancing, on top of the challenges of operating in isolated areas and in a society where drug and alcohol addiction fuels acquisitive crime against our members. All crime, and especially violent incidents, have a significant financial impact but more importantly are devastating for the colleagues affected.
“We need a consistent response to these incidents across all police forces to send a clear message to perpetrators that retail crime is never acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The 2020 Crime Report shows that 83% of people who work in the convenience sector have been subjected to verbal abuse over the last year and there were over 50,000 incidents of violence estimated in the sector, with 25% of incidents resulting in injury.
The full submission is available here.
