Tackling Retail Crime Together

The latest Annual Retail Crime Survey published by the British Retail Consortium found that offences had significantly reduced when compared to last year's survey results. This reduction has, however, come at a significant cost. Retailers have made a considerable investment to protect their premises and their staff. The increase in security expenditure is reflected in the fact that the overall cost of retail crime has remained constant at £1.1 billion, as reported in last year's survey, despite reductions in most offence types.

It is clear that under-reporting remains a significant problem. Too often in the past retail crime has been perceived as ‘victimless' and therefore attracted a lower priority than many other offences. The challenge for the year ahead will be to tackle the under-reporting of offences, especially those experienced by retail staff who have come to accept daily abuse as a 'part of the job'.

While retailers support the Government's proposal to introduce locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners in 2012, they are concerned that the lack of appropriate measurement for retail crime, combined with greater reliance on crime maps to determine local crime priorities, will make it exceptionally difficult for retailers to influence the local crime agenda. As we move towards more locally based policing, it is imperative that retail is recognised as a cornerstone to safe and vibrant communities and that retailers are genuinely involved in setting local crime priorities.

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