NEW STATISTICS from a retail trade union show that shoplifting is continuing to rise in the south east.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics collated by the trade union Usdaw show that there were “significant” increases in the rates of thefts from shops last year.
Overall the findings show a 42% increase in rates of shoplifting across the south east, above the national rise of 37%.
Thames Valley saw a rise of 38% in shoplifting rates last year, compared to a rise of 23% in Kent, and 36% in Surrey.
Hampshire saw more of an increase than average in the south east,, jumping by nearly 50%, and Sussex saw a rise of 65%.
A spokesman for PM Rishi Sunak explained that while incidents were on the rise, the number of people being charged for the same offences was also up 46%, thanks to more collaboration between retailers and the police.
They also added that overall crime rates had been cut by a fifth since 2019.
The number of offences recorded by police in England and Wales shows a continuing trend of rising theft since pre-pandemic records, with rates reaching a 20-year high for the offence.
ONS figures show that shoplifting is at its highest rate since their records began.
It also follows an annual survey by Usdaw which consulted more than 5,500 shop workers, of whom 60% said they’d suffered incidents of violence, threats, and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers.
“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.
“This 42% increase in shoplifting across the South East is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.”
He explained: “Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in the stores and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on.
“Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence–60% of respondents said theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for these incidents.”
“The scale of assaults, abuse and threats towards shopworkers and extent of the retail crime epidemic has been a disgrace for many years.”
He explained also that cuts to policing budgets and a “failure” to protect retail workers through legislation were exacerbating the problem.
“Usdaw has long called for action that includes a standalone offence for assaulting a shopworker and that has been vehemently opposed by this Government and their Conservative MPs on many occasions.
“Recently the Government performed a long overdue U-turn after many years of sustained campaigning by Usdaw and others.
“Our members have had to wait too long for their voices to be heard and common sense to prevail.
“We will have to see the detail of what Ministers are proposing and we are clear that it must be at least what we won in Scotland three years ago.
“We hope that whatever the Government is proposing will be substantial and effective in giving shopworkers, key workers in every community, the respect that they have long deserved and regrettably too often do not receive.”
