It is difficult to gauge the true extent and cost of crimes committed against commercial and retail premises globally. However, there have been estimates of around US$100 billion for shrinkage in the global retail sector for 2007. Levels of violence are much more difficult to determine, but we know that in the UK alone, there were approximately 397,000 threats of violence and 288,000 physical assaults by members of the public on British workers during 2006/07 (British Crime Survey).
The retail industry makes a key contribution to any country’s economy, both in terms of income generation and employment, but it is currently in the midst of a period of intense change, particularly during this current economic recession. The figures above highlight the fact that retail crime is not ‘victimless’; there is a real human cost for real people in real communities. It is therefore absolutely essential that retail environments, whether high street stores, retail parks or shopping malls are safe places for customers and employees alike. |