The latest annual report from the BRC (British Retail Consortium) reveals that retail crime is out of control. The Annual Crime Survey, covering the period from 1 September 2023 to the 31st August 2024, shows violence & abuse, and theft, spiralling upwards, yet again.
The survey is arguably the most reliable barometer of the state of retail crime and, according to the BRC, is based on a sample from retailers representing over 1.1 million employees and over £194 billion market turnover, which was then used to estimate figures for the entire industry.
Once again, the crime survey shows another significant increase in violence and abuse, passing 2,000 incidents a day for the first time, up from 1,300 the year before and just 455 per day in 2020. Incidents included racial or sexual abuse, physical assault or threats with weapons. There were 70 incidents per day which involved a weapon, more than double the previous year.
Customer theft rose by over 20% to £2 billion taking the total cost of crime to nearly £4.2 billion including the cost of crime prevention. And on police response, over a third of retailers rated the police response as fair, good or excellent, while 61% considered it poor or very poor.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail crime is spiralling out of control. People in retail have been spat on, racially abused, and threatened with machetes. Every day this continues, criminals are getting bolder and more aggressive. We owe it to the three million hardworking people working in retail to bring the epidemic of crime to heel. No one should go to work in fear.
With little faith in police attendance, it is no wonder criminals feel they have licence to steal, threaten, assault and abuse. Retailers are spending more than ever before, but they cannot prevent crime alone. We need the police to respond to and handle every reported incident appropriately. We look forward to seeing crucial legislation to protect retail workers being put in place later this year. Only if the industry, Government and police work together, can we finally see this awful trend reverse.”
Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie commented on the BRC’s Annual Crime Survey: “The most recent data reveals the harsh truth about retail crime, highlighting the alarming fact that nearly half of retail workers now live in fear for their safety while at work. This fear of assault or abuse is unacceptable, and it is distressing to see its pervasive impact on security officers who strive to safeguard colleagues and customers within stores.
Disturbingly, security officers face injuries daily as they fulfil their duties, with a total of 968 incidents in 2024 resulting in physical harm to our security personnel. The statistics from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicate a rise in assaults involving weapons, causing not only physical harm but also affecting mental well-being, leaving lasting scars that persist long after the physical injuries have healed.
The security industry, retailers, and law enforcement must remain united in the shared goal of creating safer retail environments and communities. Technology plays a crucial role in achieving this objective, as evidenced by the valuable footage captured by security officers using body-worn cameras and the formal data-sharing agreements established between retailers and the police. These tools and strategies are essential for apprehending offenders and ensuring that they face appropriate legal consequences.
By harnessing advanced technology and implementing efficient processes, there is an opportunity to combat retail crime effectively. The recent introduction of new legislation aimed at protecting retail workers is just the starting point in this mission. I know that the security industry is dedicated to collaborating with retailers and law enforcement agencies to address crime, improve troubling statistics, and, most importantly, guarantee that our security and retail staff are not only respected but also provided with a secure work environment and access to the necessary justice.”
