Police slam courts as shop thefts hit record high

Store manager greets customers at entrance to deter shoplifting (Illustrative image) (Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Getty Images

Police chiefs are advising shops to deploy customer 'greeters' to deter shoplifters amid a surge in retail crime. Lancashire Constabulary launched Operation Vulture last year, encouraging businesses to use staff members who greet customers at store entrances.

The force issued guidance stating that greeting genuine shoppers creates a positive store impression while deterring potential thieves. An offender is less likely to shoplift if they sense they will be seen and noticed by staff, according to the police advice.

Scale of retail crime crisis

Nearly three thefts per minute are reported across England and Wales, with total thefts reaching 530,643 in the year to March. The surge has cost retailers an estimated £1.8 billion, highlighting the scale of the crisis facing shops nationwide.

Lancashire Police's digital guide "How to Deter a Shoplifter" advises workers to offer assistance to customers acting suspiciously. The guidance warns that shoplifters are not always "creeping round like in the movies" but might try to keep a low profile while looking anxious or flushed.

Identifying suspicious behaviour

Police advise staff to watch for customers wearing heavy, baggy clothing in warm weather, which might be used to hide stolen items. Large bags and constant looking around the shop are also potential warning signs of shoplifting intent.

Workers who witness theft should ask suspects to replace items using a "calm and neutral tone," but only if they feel safe to do so. The force emphasises that staff should be certain someone has taken something before confronting them.

Enforcement challenges persist

Katy Bourne, the national lead for shoplifting at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, criticised the lack of meaningful deterrent for repeat offenders. "People have got to know that they're going to get caught and that there's a meaningful deterrent when they do it. There is no point arresting shoplifters if there is no effective deterrent," she said.

The Sussex police and crime commissioner called it "madness" how many times repeat shoplifters must be arrested before receiving jail time. Lancashire Police acknowledged that tough economic factors mean "for some residents in Lancashire, stealing may feel like their only choice."

Government response measures

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson warned shopkeepers against displaying alcohol bottles at store fronts because they attract thieves. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that people targeting items for resale will specifically target such products.

Johnson rejected suggestions that the public has a duty to tackle shoplifters rather than rely on police. The Government is also developing a £4 million artificial intelligence system to predict crime before it happens, expected to go live by 2030.

Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail", "Express" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.