New reports state that shoplifting has hit a record high with 16.7 million incidents recorded last year, more than double compared to 2022 and that number is still rising. Violence and abuse against shop workers also spiked last year with about 1300 incidents daily, a rise of 50%, the trade association reported. About 8,800 of the total in one year resulted in injury.
Retail staff face a range of incidents including physical violence, threats with weapons, racial abuse and sexual harassment. Many have considered quitting their jobs.
Newton Aycliffe shopping centre is struggling and the increase in shoplifting and crime is making the situation worse, as more shops go out of business because they cannot afford the losses or keeping staff safe.
Community Spirit decided to do what we could to help our shop workers and purchased 20 walkie talkies to help the shops communicate with each other quickly. We also appreciate that people sometimes resort to crimes, such as shoplifting, when they are in desperate need of food and essentials so we put together our latest scheme to help people, PREVENTION NOT PROSECUTION, to encourage people to seek help rather than resorting to crime.
The poster is displayed in shops throughout the town and gives the details of some great organisations in our town where they can seek help. We encourage people not to help the shoplifters by buying the goods they have stolen, but by directing any struggling friends or families to the organisations on the town that can help.
Get help not a conviction!
