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20/01/2015
18% Rise In Retail Crime
Retail crime increased by 18% in 2013/14, costing the sector £603m, according to the latest report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
According to to the report shoplifting, cyber-crime and fraud are now at a ten year high, with an estimated 3m offences perpetrated against the retail industry in the time period.
Key figures show customer theft accounted for 81% of all retail crime, with the average value per theft increasing by 36%. Employee theft accounted for 6%, falling for a third year in a row but still above to long-term average.
The report states: "The impact of business crime is not merely financial: it has wide-reaching consequences for businesses, their employees and the local community. Offending on our high streets damages perceptions of the local area and criminals who target businesses are also often linked to other types of criminal activity.
"At present, there is no comprehensive measure of crime committed against businesses in the UK. Data is not collected or published in the same way as for other offending. In the absence of reliable official data, the BRC Retail Crime Survey provides valuable evidence to help fill the gap in our understanding about the impact of crime on retailers, a key sector of our economy.
"We cannot fight crime against businesses effectively until the true scale of the problem is measured and understood. This is why the implementation of the ACPO national business crime definition by police forces around the country is so important. Once fully adopted, this will allow police forces to collect and analyse business crime data reported to them. This can then be used to develop dedicated strategies and inform operational activity.
(MH/CD)
According to to the report shoplifting, cyber-crime and fraud are now at a ten year high, with an estimated 3m offences perpetrated against the retail industry in the time period.
Key figures show customer theft accounted for 81% of all retail crime, with the average value per theft increasing by 36%. Employee theft accounted for 6%, falling for a third year in a row but still above to long-term average.
The report states: "The impact of business crime is not merely financial: it has wide-reaching consequences for businesses, their employees and the local community. Offending on our high streets damages perceptions of the local area and criminals who target businesses are also often linked to other types of criminal activity.
"At present, there is no comprehensive measure of crime committed against businesses in the UK. Data is not collected or published in the same way as for other offending. In the absence of reliable official data, the BRC Retail Crime Survey provides valuable evidence to help fill the gap in our understanding about the impact of crime on retailers, a key sector of our economy.
"We cannot fight crime against businesses effectively until the true scale of the problem is measured and understood. This is why the implementation of the ACPO national business crime definition by police forces around the country is so important. Once fully adopted, this will allow police forces to collect and analyse business crime data reported to them. This can then be used to develop dedicated strategies and inform operational activity.
(MH/CD)
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01 August 2003
Shoplifters strike every 3.7 seconds, claims Letwin
Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin has challenged government figures that crimes rates for theft are falling – claiming that a retail crime is committed in Britain every 3.7 seconds. Mr Letwin warned that shoplifting has "rocketed" and accused the government misleading the public by publishing crime figures which are "40% too low".
Shoplifters strike every 3.7 seconds, claims Letwin
Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin has challenged government figures that crimes rates for theft are falling – claiming that a retail crime is committed in Britain every 3.7 seconds. Mr Letwin warned that shoplifting has "rocketed" and accused the government misleading the public by publishing crime figures which are "40% too low".
11 October 2006
UK shoplifting soars despite improved security
The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey has revealed that shoplifting has soared by 70% since 2000. The survey, sponsored by ADT, shows crime cost retailers �2.1bn last year and �13.26bn since 2000. Over the same period the number of shoplifting incidents rose 70% despite the industry investing more than �4.
UK shoplifting soars despite improved security
The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey has revealed that shoplifting has soared by 70% since 2000. The survey, sponsored by ADT, shows crime cost retailers �2.1bn last year and �13.26bn since 2000. Over the same period the number of shoplifting incidents rose 70% despite the industry investing more than �4.
25 January 2005
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
06 March 2012
Consumers Still Not Spending
Shoppers have continued to keep their spending in check despite recent signs of hope for the UK economy. According to The British Retail Consortium UK retail sales values were down 0.3% on a like-for-like basis from February 2011, when sales had fallen 0.4%. Total sales, including store openings, were up 2.3% but with inflation at 3.
Consumers Still Not Spending
Shoppers have continued to keep their spending in check despite recent signs of hope for the UK economy. According to The British Retail Consortium UK retail sales values were down 0.3% on a like-for-like basis from February 2011, when sales had fallen 0.4%. Total sales, including store openings, were up 2.3% but with inflation at 3.
17 November 2003
New agency to tackle crime against businesses
Thousands of businesses could be in line to benefit from the creation of a new national action group to tackle crime, the Home Office announced today. The Action Against Business Crime Group is a joint venture between the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium designed to "boost the work of local business crime partnerships".
New agency to tackle crime against businesses
Thousands of businesses could be in line to benefit from the creation of a new national action group to tackle crime, the Home Office announced today. The Action Against Business Crime Group is a joint venture between the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium designed to "boost the work of local business crime partnerships".
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