Forum Brief: Retail crime

The government has been accused of ignoring the £1.7 billion annual cost of retail crime.

The British Retail Consortium's annual crime survey, released on Wednesday, reveals that retailers spent £500 million on crime prevention in 2002.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: "Retail crime losses are broadly static thanks to the efforts of retailers, but the government doesn't appear to care that it cost the industry and therefore our customers £2.2 billion in 2002."In 2002, only £3 million was spent on retail crime reduction by the Home Office's Crime Reduction Directors. Until the reshuffle, we had not had a minister looking over this area for more than 80 days. When the government defines the priorities for the police, retail doesn't even rate a mention.

"Small businesses are particularly vulnerable - they are more likely to be burgled or robbed and their staff are twice as likely to suffer physical violence.

"Our survey shows that eight million offences of customer theft occur each year, but that only 306,000 were recorded by police. This is highly disturbing, as it suggests that retailers feel there is no point involving the police.

"Retail crime is not just a business issue; it is a major social issue. £1.2 billion per year of retail crime losses go to support drug abuse. Until the issue is taken seriously, everyone is losing out. We don't want special treatment from the government and the police - just fair treatment."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

David Bishop, deputy head of press and parliamentary affairs, told ePolitix.com: "The British Retail Consortium is right to say that small businesses are particularly vulnerable and that retail crime should receive a higher priority.

"Two thirds of small firms have been victims of crime in the last twelve months and these victims are rightly frustrated that business crime is often ignored."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "Our own recent survey showed crime in the UK typically costs companies around £2,000 a year. Precious resources are frittered away on repairing criminal damage, taking crime prevention measures and higher insurance costs.

"In the extreme, the damaging effects of crime can imperil a business's viability.

"More government action is needed. There is already worryingly low expectations of justice from business victims of crime."

Forum Response: Association of British Insurers

Jane Milne, head of household and property insurance at the ABI, told ePolitix.com: "We are also concerned that the emerging upward trend of theft claims.

"By establishing a specialist Business Crime Unit, the government is acknowledge this as an important issue. We look forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to fight business crime. This will benefit all of our customers in the long run."

Forum Response: Usdaw

John Hannett, deputy general secretary of Usdaw, said: "Our members are telling us loud and clear - enough is enough.

"These latest figures underline what we have been saying for some time - violence and abuse against shopworkers has reached intolerable levels. It's up to us, employers, the government and the police to take retail crime much more seriously.

"If we don't get a grip on this situation then staff and customers will not feel safe in their local stores. Our members deserve to feel safe in their workplace.

"We are launching a charter for shopworkers on 9 July, which many of the big retailers have already signed up to, and this will deliver the protection, dignity and respect retail staff deserve.

"We also intend to hold a National Respect Day for shopworkers on September 17 to celebrate the important role retail staff play in the local community and the economy."