Retail trade union Usdaw is deeply concerned by today’s police recorded crime statistics showing that in the year to June 2024, there were significant increases in shoplifting across all West Midlands constabulary areas. In the whole of England and Wales, there has been a persistent upward trend since the pandemic, which continued with a 29% increase and figures now having risen to the highest level in 20 years.
The Office for National Statistics released figures today showing a 27% increase in shoplifting incidents across West Midlands constabulary areas, as follows:
- Staffordshire +16%
- Warwickshire +24%
- West Mercia +13%
- West Midlands +36%
Usdaw’s 2023 annual survey of over 5,500 shop workers found that 60% had suffered incidents of violence, threats and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order. This is in no way a victimless crime, with weapons and violence used to ensure these criminals are not stopped. Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers. This increase in shoplifting is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning. Usdaw’s survey of over 5,500 shop workers found that 60% had suffered incidents of violence, threats and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.
“We are delighted to now have a new Labour Government that has already included key measures in their legislative programme. We now look forward to a much-needed protection of shop workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with town centre banning orders for repeat offenders. It is our hope that these new measures will help give shop workers the respect they deserve.”
