Tesco is ramping up security in stores as police chiefs voice fears the cost-of-living crisis could spark a surge in crime.
The supermarket giant is “putting more security presence” into branches “most impacted” by shoplifting, its chairman said today.
John Allan made the comments when asked about a leaked strategy paper drawn up by police chiefs, and seen by the Sunday Times.
The document - which Priti Patel is said to be concerned about - warned “economic turmoil” could fuel shoplifting, burglary, blackmail, corruption and “civil unrest”.
Asked about the paper, Mr Allan told Times Radio: “I think shoplifting is a concern and you know, getting the police to take action and respond… this is a concern right across the retail trade.
“I don't sympathise with people who shoplift, but I can understand desperate people taking desperate measures. Sometimes when you know, they've literally got no money left.”
Asked if the firm was putting more security tags on items he replied: “Well, yes, we do. But obviously, there's a limit to the amount you can do.
“So we tried to do that, you know, intelligently in terms of the products that are most likely to be stolen.
“And yes, we are putting more security presence into those of our stores that are most impacted by shoplifting. But we're doing that selectively.”
The leaked document said police chiefs were increasingly concerned "economic turmoil and financial instability" has "potential to drive increases in particular crime types".
A senior officer at one force told their MP that without significant government intervention, they feared a return to the conditions that led to the 2011 London riots.
As domestic bills soar from £1,277 to £3,549 a year in 12 months, and commercial bills go even higher, Mr Allan said “I sincerely hope” Tesco will not close stores.
While some shops do not have their leases renewed regardless of the energy bills crisis, he said: “We will resist that as long as ever we can.”
Tory leadership candidate Rishi Sunak said energy rationing or organised blackouts “should remain a tool in the toolbox” this winter, warning: “We shouldn’t rule anything out”.
It came after Home Secretary Priti Patel warned the Met Police must learn from the "appalling mistakes of the past”.
In a letter to new commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Ms Patel said there was a need to restore "trust and confidence" and achieve "transformation" of the Met.
She added: "Several recent high-profile incidents have affected public trust and confidence across communities particularly in London - raising serious questions about the culture and standards in the MPS.
"These include Sarah Everard's murder, strip searches of children, the vetting of police officers, basic respect and standards as exposed in the misconduct at Charing Cross police station in Operation Hotton, and the findings of the inquest into the handling of the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor.
"Londoners need to be assured that improvements are being made immediately and will have an impact.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our absolute priority is to get more police onto our streets, cut crime, protect the public and bring more criminals to justice. We are supporting police by providing them with the resources they need to keep us safe, including recruiting 20,000 extra police officers.
“We are also working closely with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and National Association of Business Crime Partnerships to help ensure effective partnership working and data sharing between retailers and police, particularly when dealing with prolific offenders who commit a high proportion of shop theft offences.”
