Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Theft and violence costing retailers hundreds of thousands: shopkeepers step up measures to combat crime

Theft and violence costing retailers hundreds of thousands: shopkeepers step up measures to combat crime
Photo: iStock
Getty Images/iStockphoto

New figures lay bare the true cost of crime to the UK’s high-street, as retailers look to take desperate measures in the face of an alarming rise in theft and violence.

Research from commercial insurer NFU Mutual shows that almost three-quarters of retailers surveyed (74 per cent) have suffered from crime over the past 12 months – costing shops an average of almost £60,000 in that time. Shockingly, NFU Mutual found that one in 20 retailers had lost half a million pounds to crime over the same time period.


In a bid to try and combat the costly and widespread issue, almost two-thirds of retailers say they have had to take security measures in the last year alone. That includes a variety of physical and technological protection, with a quarter employing full-time security and 66 per cent installing CCTV.

Some businesses have resorted to more drastic measures to protect staff, with 32 per cent training employees on safety and self-defence, and just shy of a quarter giving staff both bodycams (24 per cent) and nearly as many giving staff panic alarms on their person and on counters (23 per cent).

The rise in crime is felt beyond monetary loss alone, with more than a third of retailers (37 per cent) saying it’s impacted their mental health and three in 10 admitting they live in fear of theft or violence on their store.

“Our study shows a worrying number of our retailers are falling victim to crime, which continues to plague our shops, and more than eight in 10 (81 per cent) believe it has increased in the last year," said Zoe Knight, Head of Commercial at NFU Mutual.

“With retailers on average suffering losses of around £60,000 a year as a result of theft, the results of this survey will concern the industry.

“And the impact of this ongoing crime wave clearly extends way beyond a cost perspective, with a worrying number saying incidents have had a negative impact on their mental health and others constantly living in fear they will be targeted.

“What is clear, and important to see, is people are making a huge effort to protect their stock, staff and premises. While it does come at a cost, we would urge all retailers to do everything they can to deter thieves to feel as protected and supported as they can, should the worst happen.”

The most common type of crime retailers have suffered was the theft of goods from the shop-floor or stockroom in working hours (48 per cent), with verbal violence or assault against staff and customers (38 per cent), overnight theft (23 per cent), criminal damage (20 per cent) and theft of money from tills or safe (13 per cent) also featuring highly.

The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) crime survey, revealed in February, further highlighted the issue and the action that needs to take place to tackle incidents in the sector.

Tom Ironside, Director of Business & Regulation at the BRC, said: “Violence and abuse take a huge toll on retail workers, their families, and their friends. While incidents might be over in a few minutes, victims can carry these experiences with them for a lifetime – and can have a severe impact on victims physical and mental health.

“Everyone has a right to go to work without fearing for their safety, and we must stamp out this scourge in retail crime once and for all for the sake of all the hardworking people in retail.”

More for you

'More consumers likely to visit high street after online retailers introduce return fee'
Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Getty Images

'More consumers likely to visit high street after online retailers introduce return fee'

Most (70 per cent) of consumers are more likely to visit the high street after online retailers introduce return fees, shows a recent survey, indicating a shift in consumer buying habits.

According to the findings from consumer insights platform Vypr, 70 per cent of shoppers say they are now more likely to visit bricks and mortar stores rather than shop online due to the added costs of returning unwanted items.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karma Bites

Surya Foods acquires major stake in health snack brand Karma Bites

World foods leader Surya Foods said it has acquired a major stake in leading health snack brand Karma Bites, as part of a series of moves to up its presence in the snacking arena.

Karma Bites produces a range of naturally flavoured, popped lotus seeds, a popular snack with a rich history in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine - recognised as among the most nutrient dense seeds on the planet.

Keep ReadingShow less
pag cheese

Paški Sir PDO (Pag cheese), a sheep milk cheese from the Croatian island of Pag

UK Food and Beverage Industry Relies on EU Post-Brexit, Survey Shows

The EU will remain a key resource for the UK food and beverage industry despite the challenges imposed by Brexit, according to new insights from UK industry supply chain professionals.

A survey carried out on behalf of the European Commission, which interviewed wholesalers, importers, producers and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) professionals across seven different food and beverage sectors, revealed that the majority will continue to import from the EU over the next 12 months.

Keep ReadingShow less
vuse

Vuse celebrates its position as the first global carbon neutral vape brand with a carbon neutral summer voyage down the Thames in 2021

Photo: BAT

BAT reports improved profitability in vape category

British American Tobacco (BAT) has reported significant progress in its New Categories segment—comprising vapour, heated products, and modern oral—with strong growth in revenue and profitability during the second half of 2024.

In a trading update on Wednesday, the company said it is on track to deliver its 2024 financial year guidance, with the second-half performance acceleration driven by the phasing of New Categories innovation, the benefits of investment in US commercial actions and the unwind of wholesaler inventory movements.

Keep ReadingShow less
iStock 1458055720
iStock image
iStock image

C-store body demands separate multipliers to help retailers invest in businesses

A 5p reduction in business rate multiplier will save convenience stores thousands of pounds per year which will help retailers invest in their businesses, ACS Government Relations Director Edward Woodall has said while giving evidence to a Committee of MPs in parliament today (11).

The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill intends to introduce higher business rates multipliers for the largest business properties (those over £500,000 in rateable value) and lower multipliers for retail and hospitality businesses. Following the Budget, the business rates discount for retail and hospitality businesses is reducing from 75 per cent to 40 per cent in April.

One of the considerations of the Bill is the level at which the new retail and hospitality multiplier could be set at. The small business multiplier is currently set at 49.9p, while the standard non-domestic rating multiplier is set is 54.6p.

During the evidence session, Woodall told the Bill Committee that to make a tangible difference to local shops and other businesses, the new multiplier should be set up to 20p lower than it is currently which would result in savings of thousands of pounds a year for essential retailers that could be put to use effectively.

ACS Government Relations Director Edward Woodall said, “The vast majority of convenience stores would benefit from the new retail and hospitality multiplier. For a retailer that sits just outside the threshold of small business rate relief at £15-16k rateable value, a 5p reduction in the multiplier would save them around £1,000 per year while a 20p reduction would save over £3,000 a year.

"This is a significant sum to help retailers invest in their business, either defensively on crime prevention and detection, or positively in their community.

Keep ReadingShow less