The Retail Crime Survey 2007-2008

Author:: British Retail Consortium (BRC)
Publisher:: TSO (The Stationery Office)

The latest edition of the annual Retail Crime Survey from the British Retail Consortium presents data and trends in retail crime in the UK in 2007-2008. It is the only survey in the UK that focuses exclusively on crime affecting the retail industry and separates it into different categories allowing for detailed analysis.

The BRC's Annual Crime Survey categorises the types of crime affecting the retail sector; quantifies the effects, focusing on cost to the business; discusses the issues facing the industry in this area; provides examples of crime prevention best practice and advises of the BRC's priorities and activities in helping members to combat crime more effectively. This allows retailers to benchmark their performance in a number of areas against other companies, thereby allowing them to evaluate their own performance and consider their future strategies accordingly.

The results from this year's BRC's Retail Crime Survey reflect the national downward trend in crime recently reported by the Government. According to Home Office statistics, crime has fallen by a third since 1997, with a 48% decline in offences since crime peaked in 1995. Professor Wiles, the Home Office's chief scientific advisor, has attributed this long-term downward trend to economic stability and growth. Despite a marked overall reduction in offences over the past twelve months, crime has still cost the retail industry in excess of £1 billion.

However, the credit crunch now threatens to bring an abrupt end to this trend. Retailers are expecting crime to rise significantly as the situation worsens and are already reporting a rise in offences. If the model from the last recession is an indication of future crime trends, retailers should be prepared for a rise in violence against staff, theft and burglary.

According to APACS the UKs payments association, there was a 25% increase in plastic card losses. Card not present accounted for 54% of total losses. As sales from online shopping grow a significant increase in offences is expected.

Violence and threatening behaviour towards staff continues to be a source of very great concern to retailers. The BRC wishes to highlight the fact that retail theft is not a victimless crime as shop floor staff have to cope with stress and the very real danger of physical harm.

The turnover of the survey respondents accounts for over 40% of the total turnover in the retail industry in the UK.

The key categories on which the survey focuses are:

customer theft
criminal damage
staff theft
robbery and burglary
violence against staff (defined as threatening behaviour, verbal and physical assault)
in-store fraud
internet fraud - this is a new category for this year's report, in recognition of the fact that online retailing is growing fast.

Chapters cover a range of issues including:

a summary of policy areas and legislative changes
case studies
crime losses
crime prevention
methodological data.

Extent	44 pages	ISBN	9780117037786
Size	A4	Price	£40.00
Binding	Paperback	Published	22 Oct 2008
Availability	In Stock: 1 - 2 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges