The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has welcomed the unveiling
of Police Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce and Action Plan,
which will use the dedicated funding of £3 million announced in
the Scottish Government's Budget for tackling crime against
retailers.
Incidents of abuse and violence towards shopworkers and thefts
from stores have spiralled in recent years. Last month official
data showed thefts from shops leapt 18% in 2024 to 43,000
incidents. One in five Scots witnessed shoplifting taking place
whilst in a store last year, according to polling by the Scottish
Retail Consortium and Opinium Research.
Crime against retailers in Scotland costs tens of millions of
pounds each year, through thefts and spending by stores on crime
prevention measures such as CCTV, more security personnel,
anti-theft devices, and body worn cameras. The financial
cost is significant, adding to the wider cost pressures retailers
already face and is ultimately paid by customers through higher
prices and less convenient shopping.
Following representations from the Scottish Retail Consortium and
others, the Scottish Government unveiled in its Budget that £3
million would be set aside to combat crime against retailers.
David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
“Crime against retailers is a scourge on communities across
Scotland and soaring levels of thefts from shops is a key factor
behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards store workers.
The financial cost pushes up prices for Scottish shoppers and
undermines the health and vitality of our high streets.
“Despite better legal protections for shop workers and record
spending by retailers on crime prevention, much more needs to be
done to reduce crime against retailers. We applaud the greater
prioritisation and funding being given to this and the focus on
persistent offenders and organised criminal gangs which target
retailers.
“It's a positive start towards what should be a concerted effort
across law enforcement and the criminal justice system to turn
the tide on crime against retailers, hopefully with the funding
sustained over future years.”
