Christmas: The season of goodwill, shoplifting and attacks on shopworkers

Retail crime over the Christmas period continues to rise, according to a new report out this week, with goods worth £468million likely to be stolen in a six-week festive blitz by UK shoplifters.

Analysis by the Nottingham-based Centre for Retail Research estimates that 86,000 shoplifters will be arrested between mid-November and the end of December. The shoplifters, mostly males, will steal goods worth £468million, a 4.7 per cent rise on the same period in 2002.

Losses from retail crime hits British retailers harder than anywhere else in Europe.

The new figures, while staggering, will come as no surprise to the 330,000 members of shopworkers' union Usdaw. The trade union has its own campaign, called Freedom From Fear, which aims to highlight the problem of violent attacks on and abuse of shopworkers in the UK - many of which are the result of attacks from shoplifters and robbers.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary Elect, who has led the Freedom From Fear campaign, said: "Retail crime is often portrayed in economic terms, but it would be wrong to record them as victimless. Just ask the 16,200 shopworkers who were physically attacked in the UK in 2002, the 48,600 who were threatened with attack, or the 70,000 who were verbally abused.

"Christmas is the busiest time of year for the retail trade, and these figures show that it's also the favoured season of shoplifters. We always advise our members to avoid getting involved and to leave the crime-fighting to the police and security staff. But as thieves become more desperate to escape capture, they can often attack innocent shopworkers.

"Retail crime is a serious issue. Through our Freedom From Fear campaign, we are trying to raise awareness. We are working with the police, retailers and the Government to achieve greater safety for shopworkers. No-one should go to work in fear of being attacked or abused."

In his report, Professor Joshua Bamfield, of the Centre for Retail Research, highlights partnerships between town centre stores, shopping malls and the police to exchange information and photographs of prolific offenders. But Professor Bamfield warns: "In spite of their efforts, this Christmas is likely to be the best ever for shoplifters."

Usdaw, which has its head office in Manchester and over 20 regional offices across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is the fifth largest trade union in the UK.

Notes to Editors

Findings of Shoplifting for Christmas: The Impact of Shop Theft at Christmas 2003 (published 7th December 2003 by the Centre of Retail Research, Nottingham) include:

• In the six weeks from mid-November to the end of December 2003, thieves will steal goods worth £468million from retailers in Britain, which is a 4.7 per cent increase on the amount stolen during the same period in 2002.

• Losses from crime hits British retailers harder than anywhere else in Europe.

• 86,000 shoplifters will be arrested in this six-week period.

• Christmas losses are equivalent to a tax upon spending of £24.72 per family.

• 61.5 per cent of shoplifters are male.

• Shoplifting peaks in mid-December.

• In 2002, the average value of theft in this period was £82.18.

• The most stolen category by value is clothing, followed by perfumes, make-up, groceries/ chocolate, alcohol and small electrical items.

British Retail Consortium - 2002 Retail Crime Survey (published June 2003):

• A shopworker is attacked or verbally abused every minute of the working day.

• 16,200 shopworkers physically assaulted.

• 48,600 shopworkers threatened with attack.

• 70,000 shopworkers verbally abused.

• 39 per cent of violence is drug related and 12 per cent alcohol related.

• Figures are an under-estimate, as many incidents are not recorded.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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