Crime in the city

Retail theft and shoplifting are causing great security issues as retailers are failing to invest properly in in-store security, according to consultancy Ernst & Young. Lax security, such as inadequate staff surveillance or untrained personnel together with poor layouts in stores is an incentive to criminals.

In a survey by Ernst & Young, which involved 67 high street retailers, 50 per cent of the clothing stores had some form of security in the form of CCTV cameras, security tags or electronic barriers. However, about 30 per cent of stores had their surveillance endeavours by low-level signage and tall shelving, which led to blind spots.

Ernst & Young director of retail Tim Sleep stated that staff spent more time filling shelves or operating tills than being attentive to customers, creating a shoplifter-friendly environment.

In a recent Draper's Record survey, 34% of premium menswear independent retailers had been victim of shoplifting in the past month, as had 20 per cent of premium womenswear independents. Shoplifters mainly targeted jeans and jackets, favouring brands such as Armani, 'Stone Island and Prada Sport in menswear stores, while accessories were most likely to be stolen from women's shops, followed by coats.

British Sups and |Stores Association professional services director Bob Jarrett told Draper's that incidents of violence against retail staff was on the increase. He further added that the introduction of Chip & Pin technology had helped cut card fraud.

According to British Retail Consortium figures, retailers spent £710 million on combating retail crime in 2004.