Retailers fear violence at own homes as crime soars

Retailers are now facing violent abuse at their own homes, forcing some store owners to consider leaving the sector over alleged inadequate police response.

Last month, Amit Puntambekar, of Ash’s Shop in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, posted on social media about how increased threats of violence had forced him out of his own village for safety.

He said: “In January, we banned a prolific shoplifter. After banning the family, his mother came into the store the next morning with a hammer, looking to attack me, muttering, ‘I’ll kill him.’ “Luckily, I wasn’t in the shop at the time, but my two staff members had to deal with the situation. Despite us using the emergency panic alarm, which we pay a premium for, no police arrived within the stated time frame.

“Since January, I’ve been on the fence about whether retail is truly worth it. I went into a dark space, fearful that my parents could be attacked or murdered. The justice system doesn’t care if we die. It is time for us as an industry to stand up and demand better.” Speaking to Better Retailing Puntambekar said escalated shop crime had also dampened motivation from retailers to contribute to their communities.

Similarly, Co-op had also been forced to help staff relocate after they were being followed home and threatened after confronting thieves. Co-op public affairs director Paul Gerrard told the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee: “If one of my colleagues gets in the way, they won’t say sorry and walk out, there will be a violent threat. “We’ve had colleagues lose an eye, or miscarry. This is a level of violence, abuse and threat that nobody in retail has seen before.”

OPINION: Retail crime is getting worse and action is needed now, Pete Cheema, chief executive, SGF

In the multiple’s recent six-month trading results, the company revealed that costs incurred from shoplifting had spiked annually from £33m to £40m. Fiona and Vince Malone, of Tenby Stores & Post Office in Pembrokeshire, have also made numerous national TV appearances highlighting the impact of recent retail crime in their store. The issue has cost them £26,000 over the past year, with the majority of shoplifting incidents escalating into violence.

Malone told Better Retailing: “Retail crime is having a big impact on us, but we don’t have it as bad as other retailers in major cities, as we’re based in a small sleepy Welsh town. “Retailers, police, the courts and society need to take a joined-up approach. Retail crime isn’t just shoplifting – it’s much worse now.”

ACS chief executive James Lowman echoed the Malones’ remarks, adding that the trade body had also received reports of shoplifting escalating into violence from repeat offenders. He told Better Retailing: “Retailers are being forced to strike a balance between providing funding for community projects and trying to recoup losses from theft and other crimes. “A small minority of criminals are attempting to sour the relationships that retailers have with people in their local area.”

Fed national president Mo Razzaq added: “Real action is needed to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. “While the new Labour government has pledged to act to stem rising levels of abuse and threats against shop workers, we need action, not just words.” Meanwhile, Sussex police and crime commissioner

Katy Bourne told Better Retailing a dedicated business crime team had recently been set up in the county, designed to identify prolific offenders in the area. She said: “Retail crime is a priority, and retailers shouldn’t suffer for their livelihoods. In the past few months, the creation of the team has helped create 2,500 positive outcomes, which include community resolutions and punishing offenders out of court.

This is a significant year-on-year increase. “Businesses have become more encouraged to report crime. I have a quarterly meeting with other police and crime commissioners, and the plan is to look at how other areas can tackle retail crime in similar ways. “How can they follow up more effectively? Are they using technology such as facial recognition enough? “We also piloted hotspot policing in Worthing where we flood prolific shoplifting areas with police. This has led to a 65% reduction in shoplifting.”

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