The boss of Co-op has warned that retail crime is ‘out of control’ after revealing one of its stores was looted three times in a single day.
New data released by the group showed it had recorded its highest-ever levels of retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour this year, with store recording almost 1,000 incidents every day.
The business said there were more than 175,000 incidents in the first six months of 2023 up by more than a third over the last year, adding that one of its inner city London stores was “looted” three times in a single day.
The Co-op warned that this level of “out-of-control crime” is unsustainable and could see some communities become a no-go area for local stores.
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The retailer called on police forces and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs, with many said to operate without fear of being caught.
A Freedom of Information request by Co-op showed that police failed to respond in 71% of serious retail crimes reported.
The Co-op added that its front-line store workers have seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost a third and, anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse by a fifth.
Co-op Food managing director Matt Hood: “We know retail crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders and, organised criminal gangs. It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and in the worst instances can even be described as ‘looting’.
“I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.
“I see first-hand how this criminal behaviour also erodes the very fabric of our communities – it’s hard to over-emphasise how important urgent change is. Co-op has invested significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe, but we need the police to play their part.
“Too often, forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences.”
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive, James Lowman, said: “Our members are at the sharp end, seeing crime in their communities get steadily worse.
“Shop theft is rising because repeat offenders and organised criminals are targeting local shops to steal goods to resell.
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