Mayor calls for action to tackle shoplifting ‘epidemic’

More than a thousand shoplifting plus other criminal incidents have taken place in one Bristol store since January, the Mayor of the West of England has been told on a visit to a Co-op in High Kingsdown.

Mayor Dan Norris heard from shopworkers facing a daily battle as Co-op’s operations manager in Bristol, Greg Yuill, and the High Kingsdown team, explained how brazen thieves are becoming – bulk-stealing items that are easy to sell-on such as meat, detergents and branded energy drinks from shelves in plain sight.

Crime costs Bristol dear, with the cost to retailers estimated at over £1.7 billion UK wide.

According to ONS data, Avon and Somerset was the region with the largest increase in shoplifting offences in the past year.

The Co-op warns that this level of out-of-control crime is unsustainable and could even see some communities become a no-go area for local stores. Alongside a range of measure to deter crime, Norris learnt how the retailer is extending trial its anti-theft, empty, ‘dummy display packaging’ for certain products on its shelves to deter criminals.

Yuill explained how the shop has recorded 1,000-plus thefts and other incidents, including abuse of staff and anti-social behaviour, since January, a more than 52% jump versus last year.

Norris said: “Supermarkets and shopkeepers are the fabric of our city, and our West of England region. But times are tough right now because of this shoplifting epidemic that’s blighting our high streets. That puts them as workers especially in the firing line, with violence against shopworkers having risen to a disturbing 850 incidents – every single day.

“The PM might call these thefts unacceptable, but the truth is this wave of shoplifting sweeping the country has been made in today’s Broken Britain, and it’s time we addressed it once and for all.

“That means many things, not least coming down hard on those who assault hard-working shopworkers just doing their jobs.”

The Co-op has invested more than £200m in recent years in colleague and community safety to counter criminal behaviour.

Yuill said: “Crime in many communities is increasing, and it is known that repeat and prolific offenders and, local organised criminal gangs are driving serious incidents of brazen and violent theft in stores. It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and often a flashpoint for the unacceptable attacks and abuse towards my colleagues.

“Co-op continues to invest significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe. This includes the latest CCTV, body-worn cameras, undercover guarding and extending our use of dummy display cases to deter the incidents of ‘bulk-shoplifting’ or, ‘looting’, as it has been described.

“This isn’t, however, a victim-less crime, as my store colleagues who have been verbally abused, threatened or attacked can vouch for, but it is seemingly a consequence-less crime.”