RETAIL trade union Usdaw has said it is “deeply concerned” following the release of the latest shoplifting statistics in the South East.
Recorded crime figures from the Office for National Statistics released last week show a 16% increase in theft from stores across the South East.
Thames Valley was the constabulary which saw the highest levels, however, representing a 27% rise compared to 18% in Surrey, 12% in Hampshire and Sussex, and 11% in Kent.
It follows a continued trend of quarterly rises which have seen rates more than double since the pandemic.
Usdaw’s own figures show that more than three in four retail workers had suffered verbal abuse in a survey of nearly 9,500 staff, and two-thirds said that abuse had been related to incidents of theft or armed robbery.
It comes as the Crime and Policing Bill is awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords, with the bill aiming in part to take stronger action against anti-social behaviour, use of offensive weapons, and offences against people.
The bill would include the introduction of specific offences for assault of retail workers and repeal a 2014 down-grading of low-value shoplifting offences.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary says: “The scale of the epidemic of retail crime in the South East is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics and Usdaw’s own survey.
“It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order.
“This is in no way a victimless crime, with weapons and violence used to ensure these criminals are not stopped.
“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.
He explained: “We have campaigned along with many retail employers for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem, and we are pleased that the Government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill, with measures to tackle this issue.
“It has passed all stages in the House of Commons and is now waiting for a second reading in the House of Lords.
“We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Respect Orders for offenders.
“It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve.”
