Shoplifting incidents in the West Midlands surged by 32% in a year, alarming retailers and prompting calls for better protection for workers amid rising violence.
West Midlands: Police reported a big jump in shoplifting cases. The rise is alarming for local retailers. In the year leading up to September 2024, incidents increased significantly.
New statistics show that shoplifting in West Midlands areas rose by 32%. Warwickshire followed closely with a 31% increase, while Staffordshire saw a 24% rise. West Mercia’s numbers stayed the same.
The retail union Usdaw expressed deep concern over these crime rates. They noted that shoplifting incidents have doubled since the pandemic across England and Wales.
In a survey of 4,000 retail workers, Usdaw found that 17% experienced violent attacks last year. This was a jump from 8% in 2022. Many of these incidents were linked to theft or armed robbery.
According to the British Retail Consortium, retail violence and abuse have surged to over 2,000 incidents daily in 2024. This is a worrying trend for both workers and customers.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw’s general secretary, highlighted the serious impact of retail crime on stores. He mentioned that retailers are spending more to keep their shops safe.
He also pointed out that communities suffer from anti-social behavior and store closures. Workers often feel unsafe due to the threat of violence and theft.
Lillis welcomed the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill. He hopes it will provide better protection for retail workers and address the issue of shoplifting.
He emphasized the need to raise the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters. This change could deter retail criminals and improve safety in shopping areas.
