The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has released its annual crime report, which estimates that there were over 1.1 million incidents of theft reported by convenience stores last year. The most commonly stolen items are meat, alcohol, and confectionery, which are typically high-value items that can be sold on by those with a drug or alcohol addiction, or part of wider organised crime groups.

ACS has called on police forces and the government to do more to take retail crime seriously and support local businesses. The five-point plan includes:

  • Introducing a "Most Wanted" list of shop thieves in each police force area, where prolific offenders can be banned from retail areas or referred to rehabilitation programmes.
  • Reviewing the impact of new legislation that makes attacking a public-facing worker (including shop staff) an aggravated offence.
  • Investing in rehabilitation programmes for offenders to break the cycle of offending and ineffective punishment.
  • Encouraging local forces to use the tools available to them to deal with anti-social behaviour, such as the Community Trigger and Community Remedy powers.
  • Incentivising investment in crime prevention measures by the Treasury.

Additional key findings from the Crime Report include:

  • 63% of shop theft is committed by repeat offenders.
  • 79% of retailers believe that the cost-of-living crisis has led to an increase in theft.
  • 87% of colleagues working in convenience stores have experienced verbal abuse over the last year.
  • Retailers estimate that just 16% of crimes against their business are reported to the police.
  • £228m was invested by convenience retailers in crime prevention measures over the last year.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "The cost of living crisis is putting more pressure on people, and we are seeing an increase in theft from convenience stores. This is having a real impact on our members, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

"We need to see the government and the police take retail crime seriously and provide the support that is needed to keep our stores safe. Our five-point plan would make a real difference, and we urge the government to take action."

The Crime Report is available to download from the ACS website here

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