Retail crime news and archive

M&S calls for strong policing as retail crime escalates across UK high streets

Marks & Spencer has called for urgent government action to tackle rising retail crime, warning that increasing violence and theft are eroding confidence in UK high streets. In a statement, the department store’s retail director Thinus Keeve said crime in stores is becoming “more brazen, more organised and more aggressive”, with frontline retail...

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UK retail crime: 14 million witness violence against workers annually

New figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium have highlighted the continued scale of retail crime across the UK, with more than 14 million people witnessing violence or abuse against retail workers over the past year. According to the survey, 21 percent of shoppers reported seeing incidents such as racial or sexual abuse,...

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Over quarter of a million pounds worth of stock stolen from Break Archive store

Resale company Break Archive has reported what is now its second break in, this time at its London showroom where around 350,000 pounds of stock was stolen. A total of 120 luxury vintage bags from brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci were among the products taken from the retailer’s store in Mayfair on Monday night. Speaking to ITV...

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UK retailers welcome two billion pound funding for police

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a more than two billion pound increase in police spending as part of the government’s latest two trillion pound Spending Review. Reeves outlined the plans during a speech on June 11, in which she said the funding reflected a 2.3 percent per year increase in police spending power “to protect our people, our...

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Retailers should regularly review cyber controls as threat of attack increases

In view of recent cyber attacks on British department store Harrods, apparel retailer Marks & Spencer and others, audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK is advising retailers to regularly review their cyber risk controls to ensure “they are as robust as possible”. “Retailers are already navigating a difficult trading environment shaped by fragile...

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Retail crime ‘spiralling out of control’ says BRC

New figures from the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Annual Crime Survey have brought forth increased concern about the levels of retail violence and abuse in the UK, with the organisation’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson, stating that the situation is “spiralling out of control”. According to the survey, incidents of violence and abuse over...

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California strengthens retail crime laws in boost for fashion retailers

California has enacted sweeping legislation to combat retail theft, introducing measures that could provide significant relief for fashion retailers operating in the state. The comprehensive package, which took effect January 1st, represents the most substantial reform of its kind in the state's modern history. Key provisions include the ability...

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NRF: Shoplifting figures see sharp increase on pre-Covid levels

A new report by the US’ National Retail Federation (NRF) has documented a concerning increase in shoplifting incidents in 2023 compared to that of pre-Covid levels. According to the organisation’s ‘The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024’ study, there was a 93 percent increase in the average number of reported shoplifting incidents last year...

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Revivals and reinstatements: What UK retail is demanding from the incoming government

The UK’s general election is moving swiftly upon us. With a shorter time frame than initially expected, national retail organisations are clamouring to get their requests publicly pushed out to ensure their calls for change are heard. Here are just some of what the many UK-based organisations – British Independent Retailers Association (Bira),...

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Assaulting shop workers to be considered criminal offense in UK

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new measures to combat retail crime, taking a U-turn after the government previously ruled out legislating to create a new offence. Assaulting shop workers will be designated a separate criminal offense, reflecting the need to safeguard retail employees and maintaining community safety, reported...

Retail

UK’s dedicated organised crime unit to begin retailer training

A new team of the UK’s policing intelligence unit for organised crime, Opal, is set to roll out training for retailers and police forces to better understand organised retail crime groups. Through the initiative, the unit is hoping to gather, scope and analyse information about such groups from a number of different sources in a bid to identify...

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BRC: UK retail crime rises to 1,300 incidents a day

A new report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown that the number of incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers in the UK has risen to 1,300 a day. This reflected a 50 percent increase in the levels of retail violence, the organisation’s research noted, which covered the course of 2022 to 2023. Next to this, the cost of...