Usdaw has urged the government to take immediate steps to help those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis as shoplifting surges to a 21% increase within the past year.
The figure which was announced in today’s police recorded crime statistics looked at the UK’s shoplifting rate in the 12 months to March 2022.
The shopworkers’ trade union revealed in a statement by its general secretary, Paddy Lillis that two of the biggest contributors to this rise could be due to Covid-19 restrictions and the cost-of-living crisis.
“Social distancing and limiting the number of customers in stores does make life more difficult for shoplifters, so the return to normal will have an impact. We want to see action to ensure this reversal of a downward trend does not continue,” Lillis said.
“We are aware that the cost-of-living crisis may also lead to more shoplifting. However, the answer to the squeeze on household budgets is not to turn a blind eye to theft from shops, which in itself contributes to rising prices as retailers try to recover losses.
“The government must take immediate steps to help people who are struggling to make ends meet, with a new deal for workers on pay and employment rights, a reduction in VAT and an uprating of in-work benefits in line with inflation.”
READ MORE: Cost of living: Has inflation driven Brits to theft?
Shoplifting also sees the safety of shopworkers at risk, which Usdaw says is a “particularly concerning” issue following its annual survey which found that nine in 10 retail workers suffer abuse from customers.
The survey also revealed that nearly a quarter of shoplifting last year caused shopworkers to experience threats and violence and two-thirds felt reporting these issues wouldn’t make a change.
Commenting on the effect of shoplifting on shop staff, Lillis added: “Faced with such appallingly high levels of violence and abuse, and with shopworkers’ almost complete lack of confidence in the ability of the system to give them the protection they need, much more needs to be done.
“The government must provide the coordination needed to ensure that retail employers, police and the courts work together to make stores safe places for our members to work and for customers to shop.”
