December 23, 2024

Glasgow Standard

News and features from GCU Journalism Students

Glasgow’s businesses bear the brunt of shoplifting surge as the high street struggles

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Glasgow’s high street is being blighted by a rise in shoplifting crime as businesses struggle during the cost of living crisis.

Data released by Police Scotland shows that, after dipping considerably during lockdown, the number of shoplifting crimes in the Anderston/City/Yorkhill area increased to 1,075 in 2022/23 – a rise of 29% year on year.

Meanwhile, the number of medium and large retail companies failing in the UK hit record numbers in 2023, with 61 closing their doors.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, urged police to crack down on crime.

He said: “Sadly, it’s no surprise official figures show shoplifting is on the rise. 

“Indeed, these figures won’t even capture the whole picture as tens of thousands of thefts aren’t even reported by retailers as they don’t believe any action will be taken.

“Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime. Shop workers are intimidated, and the financial costs are enormous – in some cases, putting shops at risk. It’s time the police made tackling store crime a priority and made our high streets safe.”

The number of detected crimes shows the cases when an accused is identified, with this figure almost stagnating since 2020/21 – equating to just 38% of the number of shoplifting crimes last year.

Many businesses feel that there is little point in reporting the thefts.

MacDonald-Russell added: “As the number of thefts has risen, driven by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and organised gangs, retailers’ faith that thieves will be caught has diminished.”

Detective Superintendent Andy Patrick, Police Scotland lead for acquisitive crime, placed the onus back on the shops and staff to help tackle shoplifters.

He said: “I would encourage businesses to invest in crime reduction measures and education to help reduce shoplifting.

“I want to encourage those employed within the retail sector to come forward and report any criminal activity that is directed towards them.”

Significantly impacted by these crimes is the large number of family-run businesses in the city centre, which are hit hardest when shoplifters strike.

Director of devolved nations for the Federation of Small Businesses, Colin Borland, said, “Business crime needs to be treated more seriously. We’ve been asking for that change for years – we need to treat it as seriously as domestic crime. 

“Especially for small businesses that are family-run, their business is very much a part of their life; it’s like having something stolen from their house for them.”

While the number of shoplifting crimes has not quite risen to the heights of 2017/18, at 2,081, the upward trend is a major concern and one which has left struggling retailers demanding more action from the police.

Detective Superintendent Patrick said: “Where we identify businesses which are being targeted by shoplifters, we have trained officers who can attend and carry out security surveys and offer advice around prevention.”

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