Chris Fletcher’s Post

The British Retail Consortium report confirms what we’ve been hearing from businesses for some time—shoplifting and retail crime continue to rise - putting livelihoods and people at risk. But in places where businesses, police, and stakeholders work together, we’re seeing real progress. Through our work locally with retailers we’ve seen firsthand the impact these crimes have on businesses and their staff. Theft isn’t just about financial loss; it’s often linked to organised crime and too frequently comes with threats and violence, which is never acceptable. In #London, we are working together for better reporting, a targeted police response and robust intelligence sharing, and these efforts are making a difference. Hannah Wadey CEO said “Through our work locally with retailers and police, we’ve seen how targeted action can make a change. In areas where we come together, we’re seeing positive results—more reporting, stronger responses, and a clear message that crime won’t be tolerated”. The Safer Business Network team will continue to encourage our members to report these crimes. With increased reporting we can continue to build a true picture of the problem and secure the action needed to tackle it. For more information about our services and training click here https://lnkd.in/dpZNNtyy #RetailCrime #Shoplifting #ShopworkerSafety #SaferBusiness #ZeroTolerance Adam Ratcliffe Rachelle O'Sullivan Mohammed Qazi Taylor Jade Mann Balazs Csanadi Patrick Holdaway Professor Emmeline Taylor PhD Darren Watson Helen Clayton BA (Hons) Michael Pearce GCGI MBCI National Association of Business Crime Partnerships Ltd NBCS - National Business Crime Solution National Business Crime Centre Business Crime Hub, Metropolitan Police Metropolitan Police City of London Police Association of Convenience Stores British BIDs https://lnkd.in/eqAVsS6J

A very well written article that illustrates the severity of Organized Retail Crime in Canada. To be clear, the effects of retail crime are not limited to the businesses involved. In many cases, organized retail crime networks are responsible for large-scale theft operations that extend well beyond individual store robberies. These sophisticated and well-run criminal organizations often use the profits from the sale of stolen goods to fund other illicit activities and violent crimes in our communities, contributing to broader societal instability and undermining local economies and the safety of our communities. We must take a harder position towards fighting organized retail crime as it’s an issue that impacts us all. https://lnkd.in/edKUxJ_z

The repercussions for shoplifting or deceiving stores may be perceived as severe by some, yet justified by others. Upon examining various incidents and their implications, it becomes evident that certain crucial aspects were overlooked, leading to the prolonged operation of dishonest individuals. Turning a blind eye to shoplifting and deception not only harms the affected store financially but also fosters a culture of tolerance for unethical behaviour. By neglecting to address instances of shoplifting or deceit, businesses inadvertently condone such actions, signalling to perpetrators that their misconduct will go unchecked. This lack of accountability can embolden individuals to continue engaging in illegal activities, further eroding the integrity of the retail environment. Additionally, the financial losses incurred by stores as a result of theft and deception can have a detrimental impact on their operations, potentially leading to increased prices for honest customers to offset these losses. It is imperative for businesses to prioritise the enforcement of policies and procedures aimed at deterring and addressing shoplifting and deception. Implementing robust security measures, conducting regular audits, and providing employee training on identifying and responding to suspicious behaviour are essential steps in safeguarding the interests of the store and maintaining a fair and ethical retail environment. By taking a proactive stance against dishonest practices, businesses can uphold their reputation, protect their bottom line, and uphold standards of integrity that benefit both the organisation and its patrons. Robberies: https://lnkd.in/gbn2mDAd Watch us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3p9YAD6 #quelltraining #workplaceviolence #workplaceviolenceprevention #personalsafety #retail

Shoplifting reached an all-time high with 20 million incidents last year, according to the British Retail ConsortiumRetail crime has reached record levels and is “spiralling out of control”, with shop workers increasingly facing threats, assaults and racial and sexual abuse, a survey has found. More than 2,000 daily incidents of ­violence and abuse were reported across the UK in the year to April 2024, up from 1,300 the year before. Theft reached an “all-time high” with 20 million incidents last year, costing retailers £2.2 billion, up £400 million on the 2023 figures, according to the British Retail Consortium, a trade association for UK retail businesses

Retail crime "spiralling out of control". Retail crime is at its highest level on record, according to new figures released today from the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Annual Crime Survey. Retail violence and abuse up over 50% to more than 2,000 incidents a day. This is up from 1,300 the year before and more than three times what it was in 2020 (455 incidents a day). See the full report 👇 https://lnkd.in/eAccAkKK #Retail #RetailNews #RetailViolence #WellbeingInRetail

Crime ‘spiralling out of control’ in stores, warns British Retail Consortium Sarah Butler 30 Jan 2025 UK retailers are warning that crime in their stores is “spiralling out of control” with 55,000 thefts a day and violent and abusive incidents rising by 50% last year. More than 70 incidents a day involved a weapon, according to the annual crime survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Verbal and physical attacks, violent threats, and sexual and racial abuse in shops soared to more than 2,000 incidents a day in the year to the end of last August, up from 1,300 the previous year and more than three times the 2020 level. The trade body’s report, based on a sample from retailers representing more than 1.1 million employees, found theft had reached an all-time high with more than 20m incidents during the year, 25% more than the year before. It said this had cost retailers £2.2bn with many more incidents linked to organised crime as gangs systematically targeted stores across the country. The rise in shoplifting has partly been seen as the result of a squeeze on household finances amid high inflation in recent years, but retailers said the uptick was down to organised gangs stealing to order. They said retail had been seen as a soft target since the 2014 law change in England and Wales which has meant those stealing goods worth less than £200 are usually spared any jail time. Paul Gerrard, the public affairs director at the Co-op, told the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee inquiry into shoplifting that a 44% rise in retail crime it experienced last year was down to “people coming into stores with wheelie bins or a builder’s bag to steal the entire confectionery section or spirits or meat section”. Retailers said a lack of priority by police was also to blame as officers often failed to attend, even when private security staff had apprehended someone with stolen goods. Major retailers have also been accused of fuelling the rise in crime by cutting back the number of staff in stores, including on security, to keep costs down. They have also turned to self-service checkouts and self-scanning devices which are more open to abuse. However, the BRC said retailers had spent £1.8bn on measures to combat crime including CCTV, additional security guards, anti-theft devices and body-worn cameras, up from £1.2bn the previous year. [...] Operation Pegasus, under which 15 large retailers began working with the police under the last government to help tackle organised retail crime, partly by sharing CCTV images, has also had some success but was set up only to deal with activity that crossed police boundaries. [...]

How Shoplifting Became an Epidemic in the UK Today I saw a young woman passing from section to section in a biig store, grabbing clothes, underwear, and avoiding the fitting room. She was wandering inside the shop for at least 30 minutes, hands full, and apparently not worried about the surveillance. At some point, she simply ran! And was caught immediately. This made me think about all nonsense of this situation, and find out that it is an epidemic in the UK. In 2023, according to the Crime Report provided by the Association of Convenience Stores, the number of similar cases reached to 1.1 million incidents. In 2024, local shops reported a staggering 5.6 million incidents of shop theft. A record. over the last year. The British Retail Consortium also conducted an annual survey. In 2023 , were nearly 1 billion lost to customer theft. In 2024, shoplifters caused in the first months, 2 billion pounds in financial impact. The retail industry had to invest in technologies and strategies to prevent the crime. Security staff alert with surveillance devices but… they cannot do much. The rule is: protect staff and merchandise. The government decided to make tougher penalties for serial and abusive shoplifters, as such as up to 6 months in prison, fines, and bans from returning to the scene of their crimes. Assaulting a retail worker is now a standalone criminal offense. The causes for this epidemic vary from psychological issues to bad behaviour and financial struggle. But they still burning the electronic security devices, shifting pieces inside the store or simply grabbing and running. And what happened to the young woman that I saw shoplift today? She dropped the clothes on the street while she ran away. Will she try it again?

NRS Takes a Stand Against Retail Crime! Retail crime is a serious issue, and NRS is committed to helping businesses fight back. We're proud to announce the launch of our nationwide panic alarm service! This innovative solution provides retailers with a discreet way to call for help in dangerous situations, deterring theft and keeping employees safe. Read more about this important new service in the Digital Journal article below: #Retail #LossPrevention #Shoplifting #NRS

Australian retailers are uniting to tackle retail crime at the industry-wide Retail Crime Symposium on 18 July 2024 in Melbourne. In an industry first collaboration, Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have joined forces to host the 2024 event, bringing together police, government, SDA union, Crimestoppers and retailers large and small from across the nation to tackle one of the sector’s most significant issues. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the continued prevalence of retail crime demands a united front from authorities and industry. “The Retail Crime Symposium is about bringing together Australia’s retailers, police and politicians to work together, identify trends and devise strategies to reduce retail crime. Joining forces with the NRA allows us to both pool our resources and expertise to tackle the scourge of retail crime more effectively." National Retail Association Acting CEO Lindsay Carroll said the timing of the Symposium is important. “The physical, financial and mental health toll of retail crime on our retail teams is not going away. After intense customer aggression through the pandemic years and beyond, for some team members the fear and apprehension getting even worse." Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMsD2ePd Tickets for the event are now available for purchase at https://lnkd.in/etqHPgES

Today, the Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee has written to the Minister for Policing, Dame Diana Johnson, setting out their recommendations from the Inquiry into shop theft. I’m delighted to see so many of my recommendations, and from others across the industry and policing, included as key pillars of a suggested policy roadmap. These include: 1. A move away from short custodial sentences for those stealing to fund addiction. More emphasis on #rehabilitation to break entrenched cycles of crime. 2. Disrupting the stolen goods markets, including online. 3. More support for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (#BCRPs) and a requirement for them to be accredited against the National Standards. This comes not long after the govts commitment to: Repeal section 56 of the ASBCP Act 2014 that introduced the £200 threshold for “low value” shop theft. Introduce an offence for assaulting a shop worker. Commit support to tackle organised crime networks targeting the retail sector. You can read the letter here: https://lnkd.in/eWZrY7hn There are some quick wins but most of the recommendations require structural change, a willingness to do things differently.. and, of course, investment - I’m cautiously optimistic. #retailcrime #shoplifting #policy #inquiry #police Opal SOAC National Association of Business Crime Partnerships Ltd ECR Retail Loss National Business Crime Centre British Retail Consortium Association of Convenience Stores Bira - British Independent Retailers Association National Retail Federation Business Crime Hub, Metropolitan Police Safer Business Network