Kingdom Security, a UK security firm has welcomed commitments in the King’s Speech to tackle the scourge of shoplifting in retail stores but warned shoppers they need to stay vigilant.
Shoplifting law changes
Kingdom Security, who provide integrated security solutions to retailers across the country, welcome the proposed changes in the law to shoplifting offences, and assaults on shop-workers to become a specific offence.
The changes come as England and Wales recorded over a jaw-dropping 430,000 offences in 2022/2023 according to the ONS.
Mitigating threats with security solutions
Shoppers should also be vigilant, and protect their purses, wallets, and phones from getting stolen
A planned reversal in the previous government’s categorisation of theft of goods worth less than £200 as a minor offence will hopefully help tackle the rising problem, but Kingdom Security warns that this should not make shoppers complacent.
Kingdom Security advises retailers and supermarkets to ensure they have a security presence aiming to mitigate such threats.
Solutions range from including physical retail specialist security personnel, checking bags before shoppers leave the store, and the tagging of high-value items. Shoppers should also be vigilant, and protect their purses, wallets, and phones from getting stolen while shopping in-store.
Shoplifting
Shoplifting has been increasing in recent years, and with that, a direct rise in the level of retail violence and abuse has followed, with the BRC’s crime survey from February revealing a 50% year-on-year increase of shoplifting, to almost 1,300 incidents a day in 2022/2023.
The widespread reports of shoplifting across the nation within supermarkets in recent years have been largely believed to have been fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis say consumer experts.
Welcoming the new commitments
Graham Allison, Chief Executive Officer at Kingdom Security, says, "We’ve seen these rises in reports of shoplifting at retailers across the country, and welcome commitments to tackle the problem in the King’s Speech."
He adds, "Businesses, including supermarkets, help mitigate the issue by having security officers, scanning gates, and a bag-checking operation in place."
Crime risk analysis tools
Graham Allison continues, "With a security agency that offers crime risk analysis tools, these solutions can be increased and reviewed dependent on particular issues in certain localities, dependent on the time of the day or day of the week."
He further said, "Maintaining essential security measures in place can act as a deterrent for shoplifters and heighten public awareness of the issue, the proposed changes in the law are welcome steps in tackling the issue."