A NATIONAL convenience store chain with multiple stores in the county has claimed it has seen crime surge to record levels.

New data released by Co-op has shown more than 175,000 crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour incidents recorded at its stores in the first six months of this year, equating to almost 1,000 incidents every day.

Findings from the Association of Convenience Stores' latest annual crime report shows almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of crime is being driven by repeat and prolific offenders, with drug or alcohol addictions and organised crime among the main motivations for offending

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A freedom of information request by Co-op has highlighted that police failed to respond in 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported. 

With crime often the flashpoint for attacks, assault, abuse and anti-social behaviour, Co-op also revealed that front-line store workers had seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost one-third (30 per cent) and, anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse rising by a fifth (20 per cent).

Matt Hood, Co-op food managing director, said: “We know retail crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders and, organised criminal gangs.

"It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and in the worst instances can even be described as ‘looting’.

"I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.

"Too often, Forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences."

Co-op has nine stores in Worcester.

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What does Co-op use to deter crime?

​Co-op has invested more than £200M in recent years in colleague and community safety to counter criminal behaviour.

Co-op uses:

  • Interactive and remote-monitored CCTV
  • Body-worn cameras
  • Communication headsets for frontline colleagues
  • Covert and non-covert guarding and security
  • Smartwater 
  • GPS-tracked security cases
  • ‘Dummy’ packaging on shelves 

The convenience retailer also successfully campaigned for stricter sentencing in law for violent incidents against retail workers through its Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign.

The new law was introduced in Scotland in August 2021, and in England and Wales the following May.