Scotland’s soft touch justice is the gift that keeps on giving as retailers brace for a festive surge to the shoplifting epidemic, it is claimed.
Security experts warn as the Christmas lights go up so does retail crime and urge retailers to implement measures to protect stock, staff and customers.
The news comes as police data shows shoplifting is already at an all-time high, accounting for almost 45% of all crimes of dishonesty.
Police Scotland say their Retail Taskforce is actively working with local policing teams across the country as the “busy shopping period” gets underway.
Stores and shops are far busier than usual with Black Friday bargain hunters and Christmas shoppers providing the perfect foil for crooks to plunder the shelves.
David Kennedy, general secretary of The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file officers, claims the lack of effective deterrents is making shoplifting pay for the criminal gangs behind the retail blitz.
He warned cops were “demoralised” seeing serial shoplifting offenders released back on to the streets within hours of being arrested.
Mr Kennedy said: “Frontline officers are seeing first-hand the scale and brazenness of retail crime – it’s not just an inconvenience for shops, it’s organised, it’s deliberate and it’s increasingly violent.
“The reality is that many of those being used to commit these offences are young people being cynically exploited by organised crime gangs who know exactly how to work the system.”
Mr Kennedy added: “When there is little or no meaningful consequence for theft, crime does start to pay – and that’s a devastating message for society to send.
“Officers are demoralised when the same offenders are arrested time and again, only to be back on the streets within hours.
“It’s not about being ‘tough’ for the sake of it – it’s about having a justice system that actually deters offending, protects the public and supports those on the front line trying to uphold the law.”
Data shows retail thefts rose by more than 25% to 13,383 in the three months between April and June – up from 10,674 in the same period the previous year.
There were 47,381 retail crimes for the “rolling year”, representing an increase of more than 17%.
Crimes against retail workers also rose to 1757 – from 1655 in the same period the previous year – and to 6321 for the year.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP insists police should be given the resources they need to “punish those responsible”.
He said: “These shocking figures confirm that the SNP’s relentless weakening of the justice system is continuing to embolden brazen shoplifters.
“Retail crime is not victimless and shop workers are being left at the mercy of offenders, many of whom are violent.
“Rank-and-file cops are right to come to the conclusion that crime without any consequences means crime pays.
“SNP ministers need to urgently get a grip of this shoplifting epidemic by giving… police the resources they need to punish those responsible.”
Police Scotland have said secondary school pupils are the “second highest” culprits and acknowledge young people see shoplifting as a “low risk high reward” crime.
A force report says: “A combination of factors have been assessed as likely in contributing to this increase, including the cost of living, challenges in the retail environment such as increased use of self-service tills and reduced staffing as well as organised crime.
“In addition, the potential criminal justice outcomes for those under the age of criminal responsibility and under the age of 25 can make shoplifting seem like a low risk / high reward crime.”
Retailers Against Crime (RAC), a UK not for profit retail crime partnership based in Stirling, urges retailers to remain vigilant in the lead-up to Christmas, warning shop thefts are expected to rise.
Managing director Maxine Fraser said: “The festive period often brings increased opportunities for offenders, with stolen goods easier to sell on due to higher seasonal demand.
“As retailers prepare for one of the busiest times of the year RAC is urging businesses to stay alert and take preventative measures to protect their stock, staff, and customers.
“RAC continues to work closely with its members to detect and prevent retail crime. The organisation issues daily alerts highlighting prolific suspects and sharing intelligence to support early identification and deterrence.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I recognise the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime, which is why we have provided an additional £3 million to Police Scotland to specifically tackle the issue.
“Police Scotland has established the Retail Crime Taskforce that is targeting affected areas to prevent crime and pursue those responsible.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Knight, of the Taskforce, said: “With a busy shopping period approaching, we are working with the Local Policing Teams across Scotland to ensure our activities are enhanced, continuing to target those involved in crimes of this nature.”
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