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Shoplifting in UK: why is it on rise and how to avoid it?
Shoplifting in UK has been the new epidemic. It is on the rise more than always being the highest in the last two decades as of now. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics showed that there were 402,482 instances of shoplifting reported by law enforcement in England and Wales in the year leading up to September 2023. This is the first occasion the figure has surpassed 400,000 since data collection started in 2002. This has become a serious concern among not only the retailers and authorities but also the citizens.
Shop lifting is seen as a low-risk crime which yields a higher reward. The cost-of-living crisis has forced people to take these drastic measures to meet their daily needs. This has led to a worldwide surgency of crime especially for mild offences like shop lifting.
Shopkeepers have reduced the number of items on display to avoid theft as the shoplifters have become bold and they will steal things from right under their nose and casually walk out with the stolen items without any threat of accountability. Other than individuals the organized criminal gangs targeting stores has also been a problem. The spread of shoplifting has also expanded from big cities and reached smaller towns. Nobody anywhere is safe.
There are various reasons for shoplifting which include the most complex psychological ones to the plain and simple thrill seekers. Following is a list that addresses a lot of different kinds of people who might resort to shoplifting for multiple reasons. This list will give you an idea as to what to look out for to not only catch shoplifters right in the act but also avoid theft in stores altogether by deterring such crimes.
I. Financial difficulties:
The maximum number of reported shoplifting cases have been due to financial difficulties people are facing regarding their economic situations. People are unable to afford the cost of living which has sky rocketed post COVID and as a result they have to steal to make up for the lack of basic necessities. The global economic crises have led people with financial hardships to resort to violence and crime.
II. Addiction and drug abuse:
Another common reason for shoplifting is people who are abusing drugs and alcohol and they only steal things to resell them and get money to fuel their contempt worthy habits of addiction. Coping up with addiction is not only difficult but almost impossible which is why people often commit small time crimes such as shoplifting so they can support their addiction.
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III. Kleptomania:
Kleptomania is a psychological disorder which compels individuals to steal. The kleptomaniac has no personal or financial gain from the theft it only feeds the inability of the individual to shoplift. This has been characterized as an impulsive control psychological order in 1816.
IV. Attempting switch and fake refunds:
Sometimes people who steal are not exactly stealing a product but indirectly stealing money. Switching involves changing price tags on things so they can be purchased for prices lower than they actually are worth for. Shoplifters also attempt fake refunds by shoplifting items and then claiming a refund.
V. Thrill seeking and peer pressure:
Most of the gangs who predetermine their actions and their consequences are always on the lookout for more members. Emotionally vulnerable individuals with financial difficulties are easy targets for them as they often get a dopamine hit with spontaneous acts that soon become compulsive in nature for their thrill-seeking elements.
Legal Repercussions for Shoplifting
Ever since the reported cases of shoplifting have risen enormously, shopkeepers feel like the legal repercussions aren’t enough which is why people do not take this offence seriously. In the UK, retailers often react to shoplifting by notifying the police or issuing a civil demand letter to the perpetrator seeking compensation.
In more serious instances, they might prohibit the person from entering the store again or pursue legal proceedings. The police and higher authorities do not seem to think that shoplifting is a big deal because it is happening far too often and that has normalized it. The police do not prioritize retail crimes which has also given rise to the alarming rate of shoplifters.
With all this indifference and disinterest towards shoplifting from the local authorities and police force in general this has becoming an increasing and more pressing issue. Fines, community service, probation, or imprisonment, with severity depending on the value of stolen items and local laws is not enough. We as a society need to stand up and condemn this because it is directly affecting us as shopkeepers lose money and then the customers face a sudden increase in prices.
How to Avoid Shoplifting?
There are many steps that you can take to deter shoplifters. Technological tools like CCTV, RFID tags, electronic article surveillance, and video analytics can aid in identifying shoplifters on time while enhancing staff visibility and designing store layouts that challenge shoplifters can also be effective in reducing theft.
In order to be prepared and to minimize the loss the best thing to do is to hire professional retail security. We here at Agile Guarding have highly skilled individuals that will help you make sure you keep shoplifters at bay. In addition to this we also provide CCTV services as well as temporary CCTV cameras to make sure you have the best surveillance possible for your assets.
We excel at risk management which is why we would suggest you to seek professional help if you are plagued by the menace of shoplifting. Let us safeguard the best interest of the public teaming up with you so everyone can shop safely and peacefully. Choosing our services will ensure that you give your customers a hassle-free shopping experience while keeping the shoplifters out of the picture for good.
Book a free consultation to discuss what kind of security needs will meet your requirement. Providing you with customizable security services is our forte!
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