Retailers warned of shoplifting epidemic

One in seven people would consider stealing from a retailer this month, according to research published by G4S Secure Solutions.

The seventh annual report, the G4S Retail Crime Index, reveals over 2.1 million people admit to having shoplifted over the last 12 months, a fall of 12% since 2009.

Meanwhile, the average value of items stolen in the last 12 months has increased hugely, to £991m in the last year alone, an increase of 52% on last year’s figures.

Commenting on the report, Adrian Beck, head of the department of criminology at Leicester University, said: “Evidence from a wide range of criminological studies shows how people will think about breaking the law if they view the risks of getting caught to be low and the opportunity to offend is really apparent.

This is especially the case in the retail environment where there is constant tension between creating a tempting and readily accessible shopping space.”

“There’s a delicate balance to be struck between selling and security, retailers need to ensure that they get this right, especially at times such as Christmas,” he added.

One in ten shoplifters admit to having shoplifted in the last 12 months, twice the national average.

Residents in the north east of England were the least likely to steal from a retailer in the last 12 months.

Jane Parkinson, 20.12.2010