Independent retailers have written to policing minister Chris Philip and have called for a government grant to be created to help them beef up their security system amid rising crime levels.
According to recent data from the National Statistics, shop thefts have increased by 24% in England and Wales in the year to March 2023.
The letter from the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) and the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) said that a grant worth up to £1,500 per retailer would enable smaller shops to improve their security measures which would help deter criminals but would also assist police forces in solving crimes and better protect local communities.
Both the Fed and BIRA welcomed recent news that police forces have committed to investigating every theft and to follow every reasonable lead to combat crime but they have said their members will need access to high quality security measures, such as CCTV and panic buttons, which is something many of them can ill-afford.
The Fed’s National President Muntazir Dipoti said: ‘’The burden of crime prevention shouldn’t fall on retailers’ shoulders. Government intervention is crucial to safeguard retailers, particularly smaller shops. Security measures are expensive to buy and install, and we as shop owners need support to protect ourselves, our staff and our livelihoods.”
Dipoti added: “Tackling shop theft has to be given the energy and priority it deserves from the police and the justice system and independent retailers should be given financial support so they can invest in better-quality CCTV to protect them, their staff and their businesses.”
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