Independent retailers are renewing calls for government grants to help them improve their security systems as incidents of shop theft are rising.
In recent weeks there have been several sets of data showing that shoplifting is rising due to the cost-of-living crisis and record inflation.
NFRN National President Muntazir Dipoti said: “Shop theft is not victimless. It blights the lives of independent retailers on a daily basis and has significant implications for a store’s viability.”
Dipoti added that as many retailers failed to report shop theft because of poor police responses, the scale of the problem could be much worse.
“Retailers are disillusioned by the lack of police action when crimes are committed so they do not report them. It is, therefore, possible that the number of cases of shop theft over this period could be even higher.”
Dipoti said: “Tackling shop theft has to be given the energy and priority it deserves from the police and the justice system and independent retailers should be given financial support so they can invest in better-quality CCTV to protect them, their staff and their businesses.”
The NFRN’s decision to push the government for grants to improve their security systems was taken at its Annual Conference in June.
East Lothian retailer Ferhan Ashiq told the conference that the cost-of-living crisis had led to thefts from stores “at levels never seen before”.
