Ruth Sunderland: Suella Braverman Must Take Action to Stop Shoplifters
In a move that could garner strong support from voters, the Conservative Party should address the issue of shoplifting head on. The current climate of cynicism and lack of accountability is deeply concerning to many. At the heart of this problem lies the misconception that shoplifting is a minor or victimless crime, a perspective that singer Robbie Williams unfortunately perpetuated with ill-advised jokes on social media. One cannot help but wonder what his fans who work in retail thought of that.
Contrary to popular belief, shoplifting is far from trivial. In fact, it is on the rise while overall reported crime rates are falling. In the year leading up to March, there were over 342,000 cases of shoplifting reported, a significant increase of nearly 25% compared to the previous year. And these figures are most likely an underestimation.
Despite the increasing number of incidents, prosecutions for shoplifting have been declining. In the year leading up to June 2022, just over 21,000 people in England and Wales were prosecuted for shoplifting, which is only a quarter of the number from a decade ago.
While individual incidents may not involve substantial losses or severe harm, the cumulative effect is significant. Retailers lost nearly £1 billion to shoplifting in the year leading up to April 2022, and crime prevention measures cost them over £700 million. But even more concerning is the physical and psychological harm inflicted on retail staff and customers who become victims of abusive or violent incidents.
If persistent theft and attacks continue, communities will bear the brunt. The US is already experiencing store closures due to this issue, with discount chain Target being the latest casualty. It is imperative that action is taken to prevent a similar situation in the UK.
So, what can be done? First and foremost, attacks on shop staff need to be recognized as a specific offense. Coupled with rigorous sentencing, this would send a powerful message. Additionally, police forces must improve their response to retail crime, as retailers frequently express dissatisfaction with the current level of support.
Other measures, such as in-store surveillance and the establishment of a ‘Most Wanted’ rogues’ gallery accessible to retailers, could also be effective. Although there are potential pitfalls, the privacy rights of thieves should not overshadow the rights of others to work and shop safely.
Our high streets have already faced numerous challenges, and an uncontrolled wave of crime is the last thing they need. It is time for Home Secretary Suella Braverman to heed the demands of Tesco CEO Ken Murphy and other store bosses, and take decisive action to combat shoplifting.
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