Survey reveals record high in UK retail crime
Shoplifting in Britain has surged to a record level of 55,000 incidents per day, attributed to escalating inflation and increases in gang crime, according to a trade body. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Retail crime in the UK has reached an alarming level, as detailed in the latest report from the British Retail Consortium, highlighting significant losses from theft and an increase in violence against retail employees.
The organization's recent annual crime survey reveals that shoplifting incidents have surged, surpassing 20 million in the past year up to August 31—averaging 55,000 incidents each day. This increase has resulted in a staggering £2.2 billion in losses for retailers, compounding the financial pressures they already face.
Moreover, violence and abuse directed at retail staff have also risen sharply. The report indicates that there are now over 2,000 daily incidents, a jump from 1,300 reported the previous year. This represents a more than threefold increase since 2020, when the daily average stood at just 455. Incidents involving weapons have doubled, reaching 70 each day.
“Retail crime is spiraling out of control,” stated BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson. “People in retail have been spat on, racially abused, and threatened with machetes.”
The report suggests that a significant number of these incidents are connected to organized crime, with gangs deliberately targeting stores nationwide, often making away with goods valued in the tens of thousands of pounds while manipulating operations across various locations.
“Every day this continues, criminals are getting bolder and more aggressive,” Dickinson cautioned.
The survey also reflects a lack of trust in the police’s response to these events, with 61% of those surveyed rating it as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’ Dickinson argues, “With little faith in police attendance, it is no wonder criminals feel they have a license to steal, threaten, assault and abuse.”
In response to the report, police indicated that they have made “significant strides” in addressing retail crime over the past year. The newly elected Labour government has pledged to implement stronger measures to combat the rise in retail crime.
Recent data from S&P Global indicates that retail sales in the UK continued to decline in January following a disappointing Christmas season, and consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since late 2023.
Employers are also laying off staff at the fastest rate since the peak of the Covid pandemic in 2021, with job cuts now hitting levels not seen since the global financial crisis of 2009.
As S&P chief business economist Chris Williamson observed, the UK is experiencing a “stagflationary environment,” characterized by sluggish economic growth paired with high inflation.
Additionally, a separate report from the BRC highlighted that British food prices experienced their sharpest monthly increase since April of the previous year, presenting an “early sign of what’s ahead” for the economy. Year-on-year, food costs rose by 1.6% in January.
Dickinson has also warned that retailers are bracing for the full impact of £7 billion in new costs introduced in the last budget by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. On Wednesday, Reeves announced an overhaul of Britain’s benefits system to “kickstart economic growth.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
The organization's recent annual crime survey reveals that shoplifting incidents have surged, surpassing 20 million in the past year up to August 31—averaging 55,000 incidents each day. This increase has resulted in a staggering £2.2 billion in losses for retailers, compounding the financial pressures they already face.
Moreover, violence and abuse directed at retail staff have also risen sharply. The report indicates that there are now over 2,000 daily incidents, a jump from 1,300 reported the previous year. This represents a more than threefold increase since 2020, when the daily average stood at just 455. Incidents involving weapons have doubled, reaching 70 each day.
“Retail crime is spiraling out of control,” stated BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson. “People in retail have been spat on, racially abused, and threatened with machetes.”
The report suggests that a significant number of these incidents are connected to organized crime, with gangs deliberately targeting stores nationwide, often making away with goods valued in the tens of thousands of pounds while manipulating operations across various locations.
“Every day this continues, criminals are getting bolder and more aggressive,” Dickinson cautioned.
The survey also reflects a lack of trust in the police’s response to these events, with 61% of those surveyed rating it as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’ Dickinson argues, “With little faith in police attendance, it is no wonder criminals feel they have a license to steal, threaten, assault and abuse.”
In response to the report, police indicated that they have made “significant strides” in addressing retail crime over the past year. The newly elected Labour government has pledged to implement stronger measures to combat the rise in retail crime.
Recent data from S&P Global indicates that retail sales in the UK continued to decline in January following a disappointing Christmas season, and consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since late 2023.
Employers are also laying off staff at the fastest rate since the peak of the Covid pandemic in 2021, with job cuts now hitting levels not seen since the global financial crisis of 2009.
As S&P chief business economist Chris Williamson observed, the UK is experiencing a “stagflationary environment,” characterized by sluggish economic growth paired with high inflation.
Additionally, a separate report from the BRC highlighted that British food prices experienced their sharpest monthly increase since April of the previous year, presenting an “early sign of what’s ahead” for the economy. Year-on-year, food costs rose by 1.6% in January.
Dickinson has also warned that retailers are bracing for the full impact of £7 billion in new costs introduced in the last budget by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. On Wednesday, Reeves announced an overhaul of Britain’s benefits system to “kickstart economic growth.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
