Shop crime survey shows rise in theft and violence
Violent acts against shop staff have increased by 50% in a year, while the value of goods stolen from stores is at a ten-year high.
The statistics come from the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Crime Survey, which is now in its 14th year.
The BRC decided to concentrate on detected theft, where the thief has been caught and prosecuted. It found the figure rose from £189 million to £205 million in a year - an increase of 8.5%.
It says losses from undetected theft are likely to have increased at the same rate, and estimated that the total cost of stolen goods was £830 million.
Meanwhile, retailers are also angry about the increase in violence or threats of violence faced by shop staff, which they believe is not taken sufficiently seriously.
A BRC spokesman said:
"The Government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime as victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals."Most shop thieves are driven by drug addiction. They are certainly responsible for other crimes. They have a significant impact on our communities."
