retail environment
Extra security for retailers this Christmas
Retailers are bringing in extra security and training for workers over fears of a spike in retail theft in the run-up to Christmas.
Security firm Safecrowd which works with several major stores said it has been ‘inundated’ with requests by retailers in recent days.
Rory McGoldrick, CEO of Safecrowds, said: “We always see an increase in shoplifting during Christmas, with a lot of organised crime groups looting stores and clearing the shelves of multiple items to sell on, and this year has been no exception. We have had a massive increase in enquiries recently and it has varied - some of it has been for uniformed and covert security guards and others have been for staff training to deal with the issue."
“There have been more enquiries from shops compared to other years and a lot of that comes down to the lack of a police response. Retailers are using private companies to fill that gap.”
Last year in November and December there were 48,731 shoplifting incidents in the UK in the lead up to Christmas - the equivalent of almost 800 per day. However, the crime has been on the rise this year, with recent figures from police in England and Wales showing that some 365,164 offences were recorded in the year to June 2023, up 25 per cent on the previous 12 months.
It is highly likely there will be a further spike as the UK enters the peak shopping period of the year, and retail union Usdaw also says they believe incidents of retail crime could increase over the next few weeks. General secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Abuse, threats and violence against shopworkers are at staggeringly high levels."
“Things are only likely to get worse in the run-up to the busy Christmas period, at a time when retail workers are already under added pressure. Rising shoplifting from organised crime gangs and repeat and prolific offenders is triggering many of these incidents, something that will be combined with added stress "
As well as campaigning for a law to make abuse of retail workers a standalone offence, Usdaw is calling for police to attend incidents in stores. This is one of the demands of national newspaper The Mirror as part of its ongoing clampdown on shoplifting campaign which is also asking for a reversal of a 2014 law which downgraded the theft of goods worth less than £200 to a minor offence.
It is also asking for the number of Police Community Support Offices (PCSO) to be restored to patrol our high streets and for some of the underlying causes of shoplifting, including addiction and the cost-of-living crisis, to be tackled.
Mike French of security firm Checkpoint Systems told The Mirror that the cost-of-living crisis is likely to create more incidents of theft in the run-up to Christmas.
He said: “Without a doubt, the economic challenges brought about by the cost-of-living crisis are placing people under tremendous pressure, affecting their ability to manage essential bills and simply put food on the table. Adding to the strain is that for many, Christmas is a time of indulgence. It is expected that this crisis will continue to be an issue for retailers this year.”
