Daily Retail Crime in the UK Surges to 1,300 Incidents

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed a significant escalation in violence and abuse towards retail staff in the UK, with daily incidents now reaching 1,300. This marks a 50% surge in retail violence from the previous year, as reported in the BRC’s analysis for 2022-2023.

Additionally, the financial toll from theft has soared, doubling to £1.8 billion annually, contributing to an overall crime cost of £3.3 billion. Despite retailers investing £1.2 billion in crime prevention measures such as body cameras, CCTV, and enhanced security, theft incidents have climbed to 45,000 daily.

The report also highlights a growing frustration with law enforcement, with 60% of surveyed retail workers expressing dissatisfaction with the police response to these incidents.

BRC CEO Helen Dickinson emphasized the urgent need for government action, stating, “The continuous rise in violence and abuse against retail workers, despite substantial prevention efforts by retailers, cannot be overlooked. The government must act to ensure the safety of retail employees, akin to protections in place in Scotland, and consider establishing a specific offense for assaulting or abusing retail workers.”