Home Office figures show rise in crime for local shops during Covid

The Home Office data shows nearly half (46%) of retailers felt there had been an increase in levels of violence and assault between April 2020 and March 2021.

Key findings of the Commercial Victimisation Survey include:

38% of wholesale and retail premises in England and Wales experienced crime between April 2020 and March 2021.

61% of those surveyed reported that they had experienced verbal abuse, 22% threats or intimidation, and 13% physical attack without injury, all incidents which they believed were related to the pandemic.

More than a quarter (27%) of premises reported installing crime prevention measures as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Less than one third of premises impacted by crime reported every incident to the police.

These findings correspond with those of the ACS 2022 Crime Report, published earlier this month, that estimated 35,000 violent incidents in convenience stores in the last 12 months.

On average, each store in the convenience sector spent more than £5,000 on crime prevention measures including security staff, CCTV and intruder alarms, the ACS report found.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We know from our own research that criminals repeatedly targeted convenience stores throughout the course of the pandemic and these findings from the Home Office have confirmed this harsh reality.

“However, we also know that retailers have been investing in crime prevention measures in their businesses to send a clear message to perpetrators that these incidents will not be tolerated.

“The survey also confirms that retailers and the police are not working closely enough together.

“Many crimes go unreported, and when they are reported, the response from the police is mixed.

“We all need to redouble our efforts to share information and take action to tackle crime.”