Richard Fowler, the head of security at Planet Organic, reports that the health food chain loses "£900,000 a year" due to shoplifting.
Fowler highlighted that some regular shoppers feel "entitled" to steal from the stores because of their frequent patronage. This revelation coincides with the government’s promise to reform police responses to shoplifting incidents involving items valued under £200 as part of a new crime bill. Last year, over 57,000 shoplifting offences were reported in London alone.
Daily Occurrence
Fowler noted that the chain's Chiswick store experiences shoplifting "every day." He categorized shoplifters into three groups:
1.Homeless individuals
2.Regular affluent customers who feel entitled to steal when short on cash
3.Opportunists who slip items into their bags when they believe no one is watching
"We lose £900,000 a year just from theft," Fowler stated.
Escalating Shoplifting Reports
Met Police data reveals 38,157 shoplifting offences were reported in 2022, with the number rising to 57,453 in 2023. Despite the increase, most cases were not attended by an officer. The Met Police explained that while it’s impractical to respond to every incident, officers are dispatched when a suspect is present, and the situation could escalate.
Government Response
At the state opening of Parliament, King Charles announced legislation to "strengthen community policing." The new crime bill will address "low-value" thefts (goods worth less than £200) with more severe consequences, reversing the 2014 legislation that had lessened punishments for such offences.
Expert Insight
Professor Emmeline Taylor of City University emphasized the importance of neighbourhood policing in preventing crimes like shoplifting. She pointed out that the reduction in neighbourhood policing has contributed to the rise in antisocial behavior and theft.
"It's widely known that the police have been overstretched and under-resourced for over a decade. Neighbourhood policing can effectively address issues like shoplifting, criminal damage, and antisocial behavior before they escalate," Taylor said. Photo by Philafrenzy, Wikimedia commons.