Retail crime has surged by 35%, prompting calls for action.
- Co-op faces rising shoplifting and anti-social behaviour incidents.
- Police response to serious retail crimes is reportedly lacking.
- Substantial investments have been made to ensure safety in stores.
- Concerns are mounting about community safety and ‘no-go’ zones.
Retail crime has surged by 35% year on year, according to Co-op, which has led to an urgent call for enhanced police intervention. Matt Hood, the Co-op food managing director, has expressed concern over the escalation in criminal activities in stores, describing the situation as ‘out of control.’ More than 175,000 incidents have been recorded within the first half of 2023, equating to nearly 1,000 incidents daily.
The rise in occurrences, including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, has presented significant challenges to the Co-op’s operations. Frontline workers have reported a 30% increase in physical assaults and a 20% rise in incidents of verbal abuse and anti-social behaviour over the past year. This has led to fears that certain communities may become ‘no-go’ areas if such trends continue.
A Freedom of Information request from Co-op has revealed that police forces have failed to respond to 71% of serious retail crime reports. Hood emphasised the severity of the issue, noting the ‘horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft’ experienced in Co-op outlets. He underscored the necessity for police collaboration, lamenting the lack of action despite the retailer’s substantial safety investments.
In response to these challenges, Co-op has invested over £200 million in improving safety measures for colleagues and communities. This investment is notably four times the industry’s average spend per store on safety and security. Measures include the provision of body-worn cameras, communication headsets for staff, and the strategic display of ‘dummy’ products to mitigate theft.
On social media, the public perception of safety within stores has been highlighted through posts noting the adjusted presentation of goods and security measures like periodic tannoy announcements monitoring customer activity.
Addressing the current state of retail crime requires a concerted effort between retailers and law enforcement to ensure community safety.
