Convenience stores are facing a staggering rise in theft incidents, prompting calls for the police to establish a "most wanted" list of offenders, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
The ACS, representing 48,000 stores, revealed that over 1.1 million theft cases were reported last year, pushing their self-devised "theft index" to an all-time high. The most commonly targeted items include meat, alcohol, and confectionery, which are attractive to drug or alcohol addicts as well as organised crime networks.
James Lowman, the CEO of ACS, expressed concern over the unprecedented levels of theft, with repeat offenders stealing without fear of consequences. He emphasized that the surge in theft is not primarily driven by individuals facing financial difficulties but by organized criminal gangs and addicts resorting to theft to support their substance abuse issues.
Lowman stated that official crime figures fail to capture the true extent of the challenges faced by retailers. Local retailer Fiona Malone from Tenby shared her frustration, highlighting that many thieves in her community are already known to both locals and the police.
She said: " “Many of the people stealing from my shop are known to the community and the police. We need to do a better job at tackling these offenders and bringing them to justice. Unfortunately, shop thieves know that the police rarely take notice of anything stolen under £50 in value.”
The ACS urged police forces and the government to take decisive action to combat retail crime and assist local businesses. They proposed the creation of a "most wanted" list specific to each police force, enabling the identification and potential banning of prolific offenders from retail areas. Additionally, the ACS recommended referring such offenders to rehabilitation programs.
According to the report, nearly two-thirds of shop thefts are committed by repeat offenders. The majority of retailers believe that the cost-of-living crisis has contributed to the rise in theft incidents. Furthermore, the association revealed that 90% of convenience store staff experienced verbal abuse within the past year.
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