LONDON, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- A survey released by the British Retail Consortium revealed on Thursday that retail crime is at its highest level on record, more than three times its level in 2020.
Data showed that retail violence and abuse increased over 50 percent to more than 2,000 incidents a day in 2023/24, up from 1,300 the year before. Among them, 70 incidents per day involved a weapon, more than double the previous year.
The survey result also warned of low satisfaction with the police, with 61 percent of respondents describing the police response to incidents as "poor" or "very poor."
The amount spent on crime prevention is also at a record high. Retailers invested 1.8 billion pounds (2.23 billion U.S. dollars) in measures such as more security personnel, anti-theft devices, and body-worn cameras, up from 1.2 billion pounds the previous year. This has created further investment and price pressure for customers everywhere.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, "Retail crime is spiraling out of control. People in retail have been spat on, racially abused, and threatened with machetes. Every day, criminals get bolder and more aggressive."
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of retail industry charity the Retail Trust, said, "Almost half of the retail workers we've surveyed told us they currently fear for their safety and nearly two-thirds are stressed and anxious going to work due to this unacceptable level of retail crime."
"People are contacting our helpline in their thousands to report horrifying incidents of abuse and violence and many say that they are now at breaking point," Brook-Carter added. (1 British pound = 1.24 U.S. dollar) ■
