The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) has called on the government to do more to protect small businesses after a survey showed that 28% of small stores had suffered at least one crime
during the past 12 months.
The Federation’s survey of its 19,000 members showed that 5% were actually considering closing their businesses because of the amount of crime they faced, while 45.5% believed that reporting a crime would achieve nothing and more than 15% felt the police did not respond to their calls.
NFRN representative David Kirwin said: “Business crime needs to be identified as one of the police’s key indicators. Until then the seriousness of business crime will be overlooked. There is apathy among retailers because of the perceived lack of response by police and the resources committed to combating retail crime by the government. Effectively, both go hand in hand and it’s imperative that any retailer who suffers from a crime must formally report it to the police. This will reflect the real problems that exist and will
encourage the government to address the problem with increased resources.”
The research revealed that shoplifting (35.8%) and violence and verbal abuse (26.3%) were the most common crimes, and 90% of NFRN members had invested in security equipment for their stores.
during the past 12 months.
The Federation’s survey of its 19,000 members showed that 5% were actually considering closing their businesses because of the amount of crime they faced, while 45.5% believed that reporting a crime would achieve nothing and more than 15% felt the police did not respond to their calls.
NFRN representative David Kirwin said: “Business crime needs to be identified as one of the police’s key indicators. Until then the seriousness of business crime will be overlooked. There is apathy among retailers because of the perceived lack of response by police and the resources committed to combating retail crime by the government. Effectively, both go hand in hand and it’s imperative that any retailer who suffers from a crime must formally report it to the police. This will reflect the real problems that exist and will
encourage the government to address the problem with increased resources.”
The research revealed that shoplifting (35.8%) and violence and verbal abuse (26.3%) were the most common crimes, and 90% of NFRN members had invested in security equipment for their stores.
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