Do Stores Treat Shoplifting Fairly?

Friday, 6th June 2014 at 9:00am

Retailers are increasingly giving lifetime bans to shoplifters and using private companies to sue them, notes the She Said blog in the Observer. Shoplifting is at its highest level in four years and rose by 6% in 2013, according to recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

The British Retail Consortium estimates that thefts from stores cost about £250 million each year.

A spokesperson said: “We all pay for this increased stealing through higher prices and, increasingly, shop closures and damage to our town centres. Retailers therefore dedicate considerable resources to protecting their businesses from criminals who target them.” However, while some shoplifters are repeat offenders with criminal intentions, others may have found themselves penalised for life for taking goods in very varied circumstances.

Full the full blog post, click here.

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