The Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC), Neil Johnston, has commended the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for its efforts in tackling shop theft, while calling for continued vigilance and stronger legal protections for retail workers.
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Last year, Northern Ireland experienced a 20% increase in reported shoplifting incidents, rising from approximately 7,500 to nearly 9,000 cases, reflecting trends seen across the UK. This year, the Office of National Statistics recorded another 20% rise in England and a similar increase in Scotland. However, the latest PSNI figures indicate that reported shop thefts in Northern Ireland fell to 8,500 in the year to June.
'The reasons why Northern Ireland seems to be bucking the trend aren't entirely clear, but I think it's fair to assume that the hard work of the PSNI is paying dividends,' Johnston stated.
Despite this improvement, Johnston emphasised that shoplifting levels remain significantly above historic norms. He urged that 'retailers, who are investing considerable sums on crime prevention, and the police need to keep up the good work.'
The NIRC is calling on the NI Executive and the Policing Board to recognise the scale of the problem and ensure the PSNI has adequate staffing and resources to continue addressing the "scourge of shop thieves."
In addition to tackling theft, the NIRC is renewing its appeal for legislation to protect retail workers from violence and abuse. Johnston noted that Scotland, England, and Wales have already made it a stand-alone criminal offence to assault a retail worker. Working alongside the trade union USDAW, the NIRC has urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to introduce similar protections in Northern Ireland.
'We are grateful that the Minister is planning to bring forward legislation to make it an offence to assault a public facing worker,' Johnston said. 'This legislation can't come soon enough for retail workers in Northern Ireland who are sadly subjected to a range of wholly unacceptable and abusive behaviour including assault on occasions. It would be unacceptable for Northern Ireland to be the only part of the UK where shop workers are without better legal protections.'
Johnston concluded by expressing hope that all political parties and Assembly Members will support the passage of this legislation in the coming months. 'NIRC hope that all political parties in Stormont and every individual Assembly Member will get behind the passage of this legislation as a priority in the coming months.'
More information:
British Retail Consortium (BRC)
[email protected]
www.brc.org.uk
