The problem of retail crime "remains very large and very real" according to the British Retail Consortium's latest survey
The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) 9th Annual Retail Crime Survey – to be launched on 18 June at the Bloomsbury Square Training Centre in central London – shows that the problem of retail crime throughout the UK remains readily apparent, with youth crime, drug abuse and drug-related crimes and instances of violence and robbery on the increase.

Sponsored by Reliance Security, the survey provides invaluable information to the retail sector, police service and a host of other organisations about the extent and nature of the problem, and the progress being made to tackle it.

The survey will show that the retail sector is not immune to the forces at work in society, and will highlight the impact of the massive capital investment in crime prevention strategies made by retailers over the past five years.

Speaking exclusively to SMT, the BRC's director general Bill Moyes said: "Retail crime does not stop at the shop door. Many of the problems faced by retailers are the result of various external factors that cannot be effectively controlled or managed from the shop floor. Retail crime does not exist in isolation, but is part of a much wider problem with far-ranging social implications."

The survey will also show that it's time to dispel the myth that retail crime is victimless. The factors that contribute to it have massive implications for society as a whole. That is why Government must consider it a priority, and support retailers in developing a range of innovative initiatives aimed at fighting back.

Source

SMT