Police ignore 80% of shoplifters caught by security guards, says Co-op boss

19 September 2023 , 20:44

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Police ignore 80% of shoplifters caught by security guards, says Co-op boss

A Co-op boss says undercover guards have to let shoplifters go as police ignore 80% of cases.

The firm uses expert guards, often ex-forces and former police, to work covertly in stores plagued by theft. However, Paul Gerrard, the chain’s campaigns and public affairs director, said: “Even when we’ve detained an offender and called for police assistance the police don’t attend in 80% of cases.

“That’s despite us having the offender in our control, with CCTV evidence. We’ll keep them until we know if the police are going to turn up — that could be 15 minutes or an hour. If they’re not going to turn up they let them go.” Mr Gerrard said security intervening could actually make the situation worse as thieves learn that even if caught they can still get away.

A Conservative law change in 2014 downgraded theft of goods worth less than £200 to a minor offence, usually punished by a £70 postal fine. The Mirror’s Clamp Down on Shoplifting campaign wants the laws reversed and for the police to investigate all crime. Co-op, with almost 4,000 stores, is a victim of an “epidemic” of shoplifting.

Mirror's campaign

Shoplifting in the first eight months of 2023 has risen by 41% in Co-ops compared to 2022. There are now around 1,000 cases a day. Meanwhile Mr Gerrard said violence against staff is up by 25%. He added: “Four or five will be physically attacked every day. We’ve seen syringes, knives and we even a medieval mace. It’s serious violence leading to broken bones.”

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Shocking videos shown to The Mirror last week showed retail workers at a Co-op branch in London being threatened with violence and verbally abused as they attempted to stop thieves. Supermarkets have a 54% share of shoplifting crimes. The Co-op is most targeted followed by Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

Mr Gerrard said: “The majority of the rise is down to gangs and individuals who are targeting our stores to steal large volumes of products.” He added: “We want police to take this seriously and recognise the impact it has on shop workers and the viability of shops. Most forces don’t treat it as a priority.”

John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White said the firm had suffered a £12million jump in the cost of shoplifting, with a surge in organised crime blamed. Along with trade body the British Retail Consortium, John Lewis is calling for it to be made a crime to abuse shop staff, in line with Scotland.

Natasha Wynarczyk