12 December 2024
Bira has warned of the growing "industrial scale" of shop theft to fuel online resale, following an incident where a Dorset shopkeeper traced stolen Jellycat toys being sold on Vinted.
Charlie Groves, who runs Groves Garden Centre in Bridport, Dorset, discovered the theft after reviewing CCTV footage showing a woman hiding toys in a pram and leaving without paying.
Groves used clues from the footage, including the thief’s personalised number plate, to locate her Facebook profile, as reported by the BBC. He later linked the stolen items to a Vinted account run by the woman’s husband, who denies knowledge of the theft.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “The industrial scale of this is worrying and is definitely fuelled by the availability and expediency and lack of control in online marketplaces.”
Bira’s recent retail crime survey found that over three-quarters (78%) of businesses that had experienced theft in the past 12 months reported that the frequency or severity of theft incidents had increased. Bira estimates that at least three-in-five items shoplifted from its members end up being sold online.
Get into the minds of shop thieves with Bira's latest podcast...
Step inside the mind of shop thieves as leading criminologist Professor Emmeline Taylor and Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre reveal the psychology driving retail crime.
Bira's advocacy takes your voice to the heart of Parliament
Bira is at the forefront of championing the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain.
Our campaigns cover a wide spectrum of issues crucial to the success of independent traders including:
- Combatting the rising tide of retail crime
- Advocating for changes in legislation that promote fairness and flexibility
- Fighting for fairer business rates
- Overall reducing the regulatory burden
- £1 billion damages claim against Amazon by UK retailers
Bira Crime Survey Infographic
From increased worries of physical and verbal abuse to rises in theft, independent retailers across the UK are facing stubborn levels of retail crime.
Bira's latest Crime Survey revealed alarming trends and statistics, and we've gathered all the key details in one handy infographic. You can view and download the full document today.
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