Usdaw calls for retail crime to be taken seriously as shoplifting spikes

Shop workers’ trade union Usdaw has expressed concern over today’s police recorded crime statistics showing 21 percent increase in shoplifting over the previous year. The union is now calling on the government to make stores safe places.

According to today’s police recorded crime statistics, in the 12 months to March 2022 there was a 21 per cent increase in shoplifting over the previous year.  While there has been an 11 per cent decrease over the last decade, Usdaw has called today’s increase “a worrying reversal of the recent downward trend”.

Reacting to the statistics, Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said that shoplifting is not a victimless crime as theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

“Today’s reported 21 per cent increase in shoplifting may well be a consequence of Covid restrictions being lifted in stores last year. Social distancing and limiting the number of customers in stores does make life more difficult for shoplifters, so the return to normal will have an impact. We want to see action to ensure this reversal of a downward trend does not continue.

“We are aware that the cost of living crisis may also lead to more shoplifting. However, the answer to the squeeze on household budgets is not to turn a blind eye to theft from shops, which in itself contributes to rising prices as retailers try to recover losses. The Government must take immediate steps to help people who are struggling to make ends meet, with a new deal for workers on pay and employment rights, a reduction in VAT and an uprating of in-work benefits in line with inflation.”

“Our annual survey found that 9 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Theft from shops was the trigger for nearly a quarter of these incidents last year. Particularly concerning is that nearly two-thirds said they were not confident that reporting these issues will make any difference. As such, it is likely that today’s figures are likely to significantly underestimate the scale of the problem.

“Faced with such appallingly high levels of violence and abuse, and with shop workers’ almost complete lack of confidence in the ability of the system to give them the protection they need, much more needs to be done. The government must provide the coordination needed to ensure that retail employers, police and the courts work together to make stores safe places for our members to work and for customers to shop,” Lillis said.