Shoplifting plague sees Co-op hit by 1,000 thefts a day

BRITAIN is facing a shoplifting epidemic as the Co-op battles nearly 1,000 incidents a day.

It reported more than 335,000 cases of theft, abuse, violence and anti- social behaviour last year.

Bosses said more than 100 staff were seriously abused every day, with an average of four violently attacked across Co-op’s 2,500 food stores.

although trained undercover guards detained 3,360 suspected criminals, thousands walked free – as police failed to attend the majority of cases.

Co- op food director Matt Hood said: ‘ police fail to attend 79 per cent of the incidents last year where a criminal has been detained. as an industry it’s an epidemic but as an industry we can’t fix this on our own. The reality is, every day four of my colleagues will be attacked and a further 116 will be seriously abused.

‘Last year, we estimate we experienced something like £70million worth of loss because of the ongoing retail crime epidemic.

The Co-op, the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, has lobbied for amendments

‘Significant victim impact’

to the Criminal Justice Bill that would make an attack on a retail worker a standalone offence.

The Mail on Sunday has led the way on exposing the shoplifting scandal with a hard- hitting campaign calling for tougher action.

Britain’s convenience stores have also experienced a shocking five-fold increase in a single year, an industry body found.

National police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, alex Goss, said: ‘retail crime can have a significant impact on victims which is why we are committed to doing all we can to reduce thefts and pursue offenders.’