In a shocking episode aired on 7 October 2024, BBC One's The One Show shone a spotlight on the dramatic rise in theft from retail outlets across England and Wales. The programme revealed how this surge in retail crime is having a devastating effect on independent retailers, their staff, customers, and the wider community.
One of the key stories featured was that of Benedict Selvaratnam, the owner of Freshfields Market, an independent family-run business in Croydon, London. In an interview with presenter Matt Allwright, Benedict described how shoplifting in his store has escalated to up to 10 incidents a day, costing his business hundreds of pounds daily. This spike in theft is now threatening the future of his store, which also donates regularly to the local food bank.
Benedict shared distressing accounts of violence and abuse directed at his staff, including instances where employees have been spat on, and where aggressive individuals have leapt over the counter in attempts to steal. Despite investing heavily in security measures to protect both his staff and customers, Benedict remains under siege by criminal activity.
Also appearing on the programme was Farrah McNutt, founder of Catch a Thief, who visited the Croydon store to offer expert advice on improving security measures. Farrah's findings exposed significant vulnerabilities in the store’s defences, which Benedict has since acted upon to better safeguard his business.
The episode drew on recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, which revealed that theft from retail outlets has reached a 20-year high, rising by 30% in the year ending March 2024. The British Retail Consortium estimates that retail theft is now costing the industry a staggering £1.8 billion annually.
This surge in crime is not a victimless issue. Beyond the financial losses, retail theft undermines the safety of communities, strains small businesses, and creates an atmosphere of fear and instability for workers and customers alike.
For more insights into the growing retail crime crisis and its wide-reaching impact, you can watch this full episode of The One Show on the BBC app.
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