Shoplifter - image posed by model (Image: TMS)
JUST 49 of the nation’s worst shoplifters cost shops ￡3.4 million as retailers face “unprecedented levels” of theft and violence.
The offenders, all arrested this year, were linked to criminal gangs which see shops as a lucrative and soft target.
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Two who have been deported cost retailers ￡205,000 between them.
The massive haul stolen by a small number of criminals is revealed in figures published by Police and Crime Commissioners to highlight the work of Operation Pegasus, a partnership between police and shops.
But retailers are crying out for more protection and warn that efforts to protect town and city centres, including increased patrols, have simply shifted the problem to the suburbs.
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The Association of Convenience Stores, which represents more than 50,000 smaller shops, said there 76,000 incidents of violence against staff in local shops last year. It warned: “When we speak to retailers, they do not suggest that the rise of shop theft is the result of household budgets being squeezed and people turning to theft.
“Instead, retailers have reported that prolific offenders are having to steal more to support an alcohol or drug addiction or as part of organised criminality.
“Prolific offenders often use violence and aggression towards shopworkers to escape or deter shopworkers from challenging them.”
Convenience stores are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be part of small shopping parades or the only retailer in their neighbourhood. Favourite products to be stolen include coffee, meat and alcohol.
In evidence submitted to a House of Lords inquiry, the Association said: “The risk for convenience retailers is that proactive activity to tackle retail crime in town centres or on larger high streets inadvertently diverts retail crime problems to the secondary locations they trade.”
Big chain stores are also suffering. National Business Crime Solution, a body set up by retailers with members including The Co-op, Tesco, and Next, said shops face “unprecedented levels of retail crime, encompassing a wide range of criminal activities including violence, abuse, theft, fraud, and anti-social behaviour.”
It said: “Retailers have reported a notable escalation in aggressive behaviour towards staff, often linked to attempts at theft or fraud.”
Some businesses are calling on councils to provide private security patrols in shopping centres and high streets, funded by an increase in business rates.
The National Association of Business Crime Partnerships said: “This will alleviate further burden on policing and act as a huge deterrent to all crime, including more serious offences such as drug offences and violent crime.”
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Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss, who oversees the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s response to shoplifting, said: “We know retail crime has a significant impact on victims which is why we are committed to doing all we can to reduce thefts and pursue offenders, especially those prolific and habitual offenders, who cause misery within the community.”
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He said: “The Pegasus Partnership, spearheaded by PCC Katy Bourne, was launched which is funded by retailers and the Home Office. Under this partnership a team within Opal, policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, has been working since 1 May to receive and compile intelligence packages on the organised crime aspects of shoplifting which accounts for a significant proportion of offences.
“Working with police forces, Opal has already facilitated arrests of many high harm offenders and continues to do so.”
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