Rise in shoplifting and violence

LONDON – Britain’s retail industry warned yesterday that store crime is on the rise, greatly increasing the cost of doing business.

The British Retail Consortium said that even though shops are spending more on crime prevention, theft and other crimes including violence toward staff are still on the increase. The resulting financial losses and the increased spending on crime prevention cost the retail sector 2,13 billion pounds (N$24,3 billion) in 2004, a nine per cent increase from the 1,96 billion pound cost in 2003.There were 3 385 known shoplifting incidents per 100 outlets in 2004, up 18 per cent from 2003 and up 50 per cent from 2000.Verbal abuse against staff was up 35 per cent from 2003, while physical violence rose by 14 per cent in the same period.-Nampa-APThe resulting financial losses and the increased spending on crime prevention cost the retail sector 2,13 billion pounds (N$24,3 billion) in 2004, a nine per cent increase from the 1,96 billion pound cost in 2003.There were 3 385 known shoplifting incidents per 100 outlets in 2004, up 18 per cent from 2003 and up 50 per cent from 2000.Verbal abuse against staff was up 35 per cent from 2003, while physical violence rose by 14 per cent in the same period.-Nampa-AP

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