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| Shoplifters cost retailers £205m | Shoplifters cost retailers £205m |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The value of goods stolen from shops has hit a 10-year high, a survey of High Street retailers has said. | |
| A British Retail Consortium report said goods worth £205m were taken last year in cases where the shoplifter was prosecuted, up 8% on the previous year. | |
| However, the consortium estimates that the actual losses from all shoplifting may be three to four times higher. | However, the consortium estimates that the actual losses from all shoplifting may be three to four times higher. |
| It also says not all shop crimes are committed by harmless petty criminals, as many are driven by drug addiction. | It also says not all shop crimes are committed by harmless petty criminals, as many are driven by drug addiction. |
| The survey's findings are expected to raise concerns about the Sentencing Advisory Panel's proposals to end custodial sentences for shoplifting altogether. | The survey's findings are expected to raise concerns about the Sentencing Advisory Panel's proposals to end custodial sentences for shoplifting altogether. |
| The government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime is victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals Kevin Hawkins, British Retail Consortium | The government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime is victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals Kevin Hawkins, British Retail Consortium |
| Earlier this year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the introduction of fixed penalties for those caught stealing goods had led to a big increase in shoplifting. | Earlier this year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the introduction of fixed penalties for those caught stealing goods had led to a big increase in shoplifting. |
| In 2004, police were given the power to issue £80 fines instead of an arrest for first time offences and thefts of goods worth less than £200. | In 2004, police were given the power to issue £80 fines instead of an arrest for first time offences and thefts of goods worth less than £200. |
| The survey also found shoplifters stole on average £156 worth of goods at a time - an increase of £7 on the previous year. | The survey also found shoplifters stole on average £156 worth of goods at a time - an increase of £7 on the previous year. |
| Across stores of all types, the number of detected shoplifting incidents rose by nearly 3% to almost 40 per store per year. | Across stores of all types, the number of detected shoplifting incidents rose by nearly 3% to almost 40 per store per year. |
| Cases of violence against staff also rose last year but are below the levels of two or three years ago. | Cases of violence against staff also rose last year but are below the levels of two or three years ago. |
| BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said: "Last year, shop staff were subjected to around half a million incidents of abuse or violence in their work places and retailers clocked up even greater losses to theft. | BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said: "Last year, shop staff were subjected to around half a million incidents of abuse or violence in their work places and retailers clocked up even greater losses to theft. |
| "It's clear the current approach is not working. The government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime is victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals. | "It's clear the current approach is not working. The government and law enforcers must stop believing retail crime is victimless and committed by harmless petty criminals. |
| "Most shop thieves are driven by drug addiction." | "Most shop thieves are driven by drug addiction." |
| Previously, the Ministry of Justice has insisted it does take shoplifting seriously and stressed shoplifters can be punished by up to seven years in jail. | Previously, the Ministry of Justice has insisted it does take shoplifting seriously and stressed shoplifters can be punished by up to seven years in jail. |