Urgent action demanded to stop record shop crime levels

RETAILERS have called for more urgent police action, as new �igures reveal store crime is “spiralling out of control”.

The latest annual crime report from the Of�ice for National Statistics show that small shops in England and Wales reported nearly a quarter more shoplifting incidents than last year. These �igures re�lect similar issues recently highlighted by Co-op, which claimed crime levels by criminal gangs were rocketing to record levels.

The convenience chain reported that its stores experienced nearly 1,000 daily incidents of crime, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour this year.

In response to these issues, the Fed and ACS have demanded more urgent action from the police.

Fed national president Muntazir Dipoti said: “Shop theft is not victimless. It blights the lives of independent retailers on a daily basis and has signi�icant implications for a store’s viability.

“Retailers are disillusioned by the lack of police action when crimes are committed, so they do not report them. It is possible the number of cases of shop theft could be even higher.”

Pledges from police chief constables were included on the cover of The Times last month, promising they would investigate crimes with “a reasonable lead”.

Lottery commission DRS debt

UPCOMING National Lottery operator Allwyn has reassured stores that existing commission levels for games will not be slashed when it takes over in February 2024.

Specialist reporter Dia Stronach 020 7689 3375

It has given an 18 December deadline for retailers to transfer their National Lot- tery agreement from Camelot. Under the new agreement, commission levels for games, scratchcards and prize payments will remain the same.

Monthly terminal fees will also be removed for some retailers, equivalent to an annual saving of up to £600.

CIRCULARITY Scotland (CSL) owes creditors nearly £90m following its administration, with Booker and major drinks �irms among those out of pocket.

Companies House documents �iled last month revealed the body, which was

Illicit tobacco

MORE than a �ifth of cigarettes smoked in the UK last year were counterfeit products, according to research commissioned by Philip Morris Limited (PMI).

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Vape recycling

consumption rose by 3.1% to 21.2% of total cigarette use last year. North-east England was the most prevalent region for counterfeit and contraband products, driven by growing pressures

RETAILERS have the chance to get a free disposable vape bin for their store, provided by non-pro�it organisation Green Wings Project.

The �irm has so far distributed 6,000 of the onemetre-tall bins to conveni-

Cover image: Getty Images / vgajic For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘National Lottery’ For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘tobacco’ For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Green Wings Project’ ence stores and newsagents, with 9,000 still available. Chief executive Yan Man told Retail Express there is no criteria for retailers to meet.

The project is funded by vaping supplier Elux.