Theft and violence against shop workers in convenience stores across the UK have increased more than fivefold, new data shows.
Around 5.6m incidents of theft were recorded in 2023, up from the 1.1m set in 2022, according to a report from the Association of Convenience Stores.
It found that retailers recorded over 600 cases of theft an hour over the last year, estimating the surge was costing shop owners an average of £4,946 per store with meat, alcohol and confectionery the most commonly stolen.
Incidents of violence were also up, with 76,000 cases reported in shops last year compared to 41,000 the year before.
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Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: “Retailers are facing an onslaught of crime committed against their businesses on a daily basis, with some losing tens of thousands of pounds per year to theft alone.
“This extended crimewave cannot be allowed to continue. Thieves are known to the community and to the police but they simply do not care, and continue on regardless, filling baskets and trolleys and walking out without fear of reproach.
“There have been positive steps forward made in recent months with the publication of the Retail Crime Action Plan and the launching of Operation Pegasus to try and better identify prolific offenders and bring them to justice, but the figures in our report demonstrate that more needs to be done urgently.
“Nobody should have to come to work and face what retailers and their colleagues have faced over the last year.”
Last month, it was revealed that pick-pocketing and muggings across the West End have shot up more than three-fold over the last two years, with wealthy tourists being increasingly targeted by criminals.
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