24/08/2009 - Shoplifting is 'being ignored'
Shoplifting being judged as a "victimless" crime is posing more of a problem for shopkeepers than armed robbery, a retail expert has revealed.
Malcolm Walker, chief executive of Iceland, has called for the law to help out frustrated shopkeepers who feel isolated against a barrage of small crimes. Having to constantly claim on their shop insurance is an aggravation they could do without.
Mr Walker said that petty theft in shops is something that has to be dealt with day in day out, costing time, effort and millions of pounds to retailers, whereas an armed robbery is over relatively quickly.
He added that police are willing to help out shops if there is a big robbery but will not turn up for the smaller crimes because it is not deemed to be worth it.
Writing in Retail Week, Mr Walker said: "That's because petty shoplifting has been decriminalised - it's not really a crime at all, is it?
"No one suffers, the shop can afford it.
"It's victimless. The police aren't interested and usually don't turn up."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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