Vertical Markets

Store crime rise

by msecadm4921

A trade body representing small retailers reports a rise in crime according to a survey of members. The Association of Convenience Stores’ 2011 ACS Crime Survey suggests a significant rise in staff theft and a more than doubling of robberies in convenience stores.

In the 3112 stores responding to the survey, their robberies in 2011 rose by 102per cent from 207 to 419. The average cost of a robbery did fall, from £2,880 to £1,252. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The level of crime being experienced by convenience retailers continues to rise, but considerable investment in crime prevention measures has led to a decline in the number of till snatches and the value of stock lost in robberies. The message to criminals is clear: targeting convenience stores is becoming less profitable.” The survey also found:

 

– The total cost of staff theft went up by 143pc, while the cost per instance rose by 90pc;

– Convenience stores accounted for more than half of all robberies in the retail sector;

– Till snatches fell to their lowest level since the survey began in 2008; and

– Burglaries have risen by 40per cent in the last year and have accounted for 83per cent of the total cost of convenience crime since 2008.

Mr Lowman added: “In the survey, verbal abuse was found to be the least likely crime to be reported to the police, followed closely by shop theft. We must ensure that these offences are punished and not just swept under the rug.”

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