IN NUMBERS Safety fears for shopworkers as shoplifting soars

Theft from shops has increased by 37% across England and Wales

RETAILERS have called for more protection for shop workers - as the latest crime figures show a “troubling” rise in shoplifting. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that shoplifting increased by 37% in England and Wales last year, rising from around 315,000 crimes in 2022 to a record 430,000 offences. But in some police force areas, the rise in theft from shops was much steeper.

Home Office figures show Sussex Police recorded just under 10,400 crimes in 2022, and about 17,000 last year - a 65% rise.

That was the highest increase of any force in England and Wales. Sussex Police says the rise in shoplifting offences recorded is down to “significant work” carried out by officers to proactively engage with businesses to encourage them to report crime. The force has also introduced measures to make reporting crime easier and more efficient which it says “has led to a marked increase in the number of reports being received”.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Carr added: “We acknowledge the financial and emotional impact business crime has on owners and employees, and we take each report seriously, irrespective of the value.

“Our dedicated Business Crime Team works incredibly closely with our local businesses to share information, gather evidence, and prosecute offenders. These positive working relationships have helped secure numerous arrests, charges, convictions and Criminal Behaviour Orders against some of the most prolific offenders causing harm to our business community.” Every police force in England and Wales has seen a rise in shoplifting. After Sussex, police in Northumbria have seen the next biggest rise in shoplifting (up by 61%), and then Derbyshire (58%). The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has now called for more to be done nationally to protect retailers, shoppers, and shop workers.

The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said a survey of members revealed that more than a third (35%) had experienced verbal abuse within their shops.

Bira says its research has shown that “incidents of physical abuse remain alarmingly high, with an increase in shopkeepers facing violence, including threats with weapons such as needles, knives, and even instances of hammers being thrown at them”. It says 70% of retailers and their employees who were physically assaulted opted not to report the incidents to the police.

Bira's marketing director, John Halliday, said: “The latest ONS crime figures paint a troubling picture for independent retailers and businesses across the UK. The 37% increase in shoplifting highlights the significant challenges faced by our sector. Retail crime not only inflicts financial losses but also poses a grave threat to the safety and wellbeing of shop staff and customers. “It's imperative that urgent action is taken to address this concerning trend and ensure the security of both businesses and their employees and customers. Bira has been trying to tackle this issue for a long time and will continue to work with the Home Office and police forces to better protect businesses, their owners, and people who work in the shop.”

Bira has now called for “immediate and decisive action” to combat retail crime, including increased police presence in retail areas, improved reporting mechanisms, and enhanced support for victims.

In April, the government launched a new initiative aimed at tackling retail crime, which includes creating a standalone criminal offence for assaulting shop workers.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead for retail crime, said shoplifting had a “devastating impact on businesses and communities”.

He added: “Since the launch of the Retail Crime Action Plan and Pegasus Partnership in late 2023, we've made significant progress in our policing response to shoplifting and it was encouraging to see much higher levels of confidence from retailers in policing at our recent roundtable.

“The recent proposed new standalone offence for assaults on retail workers demonstrates that violence will not be tolerated and we hope it will enable swift justice for those subject to this shocking and disturbing behaviour.”

Mr Goss said a dip sample of 31 forces in December showed police attended 76% of incidents where a shoplifter was detained and 60% where violence had been used, with nearly one in five forces recording a 100% attendance.