In collaboration with over 6,000 independent businesses throughout the UK, the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) conducted a survey to understand the impact of the prevailing crimewave on stores. The results paint a concerning picture.
According to the survey, 40% of shop owners or staff members reported experiencing verbal abuse, while 6.5% faced physical harm from customers in the past year. This physical harm included being spat at, assaulted, or having shop items thrown at them. Shockingly, 82% of those physically abused chose not to report the incidents to the police, and among those who did, only 18% saw any prosecution.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that 70% of individuals who experienced verbal abuse found that it had worsened in the past 12 months. Similarly, 50% of those subjected to physical abuse reported an escalation in incidents.
Interestingly, 66% of those verbally abused, which included intimidation, swearing, and aggressive behavior, did not report the offenses to the police. Among those incidents that were reported, 50% of shopkeepers claimed that the police did not attend, while 42% experienced police presence but no follow-up leading to prosecution.
When interviewed, many shop owners shared their belief that reporting such incidents seemed futile since they perceived law enforcement to be uninterested or unresponsive. Some expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of police presence or care.
The range of items being stolen from shops is diverse, varying from tools, fashion items, and gift sets to children’s toys, books, and even plants taken from behind shop fences. Reports suggest that thefts span from multiple small occurrences to cases involving school children, middle-aged women, and older men, as well as organized gangs. Shockingly, there have even been instances of internal theft by store staff.
Most thefts (50%) were of items worth up to £100, and the majority of the incidents took place during store opening hours (87%), while only 3% involved break-ins. The survey also indicated that 7% of respondents had experienced cybercrime within the past year, including fraudulent transactions, the use of stolen cards for purchases, and unauthorized use of company credit cards.
Shopkeepers lamented that thieves operate with impunity, as they are not deterred by the fear of being caught or challenged. This sense of invincibility may be due to the belief that the police will not take any action.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, expressed concern about the escalating retail crime and stressed the need for increased security measures, particularly for smaller retailers who lack the financial resources to implement comprehensive security systems. He emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that livelihoods and the health of our high streets are at stake. Goodacre urged police and crime commissioners to prioritize shop crime and acknowledged his worry that the situation may worsen as the Christmas season approaches.
In September, police forces across England and Wales made a pledge to pursue every viable lead with a reasonable chance of apprehending criminals and solving crimes. This back-to-basics approach was deemed essential in addressing the growing concerns surrounding retail crime, particularly theft and violence.
Recently, UK retail leaders called for a meeting with the home secretary to advocate for a new offense specifically targeting assaults or abuse directed at retail staff.
This report follows the Co-op’s comprehensive research on retail crime, which highlighted the significant challenges faced by the sector.
Sources:
– “British Independent Retailers Association” – https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/new-report-reveals-impact-of-crime-on-independent-retailers-03-10-2023/
– “report on retail crime” – https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/new-report-reveals-impact-of-crime-on-independent-retailers-03-10-2023/
– “Nisa calls for greater protection for independent retailers as retail crime surges” – https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/new-report-reveals-impact-of-crime-on-independent-retailers-03-10-2023/
