Shops Boost Security as North East Shoplifting Incidents Surge
With shoplifting on the rise, retailers like Poundland are ramping up security measures to protect their businesses and staff
North East, Cleveland, Durham, Northumbria, Poundland, Shoplifting
Newcastle: Shoplifting is becoming a real headache in the North East. Recent data shows there were over 30,000 incidents last year. That’s a lot!
Breaking it down, Cleveland had about 7,900 cases, Durham had around 7,100, and Northumbria topped the list with nearly 15,800. Yikes!
From 2023 to 2024, all areas saw a rise in shoplifting. Durham and Northumbria both jumped by 29%, while Cleveland wasn’t far behind with a 7% increase.
In response, Poundland is stepping up its game. They’re investing more in security than ever before. Last year, they lost over £40 million in stock due to theft.
Poundland has been a major target for thieves and has faced a lot of abuse. To tackle this, they’re rolling out new security measures.
They’re equipping staff with body-worn cameras, especially in stores that see the most crime. A trial showed these cameras helped reduce violence against staff by 11%!
Poundland has over 800 stores in the UK, and they’ve noticed a significant rise in theft and abuse over the past year and a half.
Last month, their parent company, Pepco, revealed that theft and shoplifting cost them about 52 million euros, which is a 30% increase over the last two years.
Along with bodycams, they’re also giving staff headsets for quick communication during incidents. Plus, they’re teaming up with local police to catch offenders and hire more undercover security.
Official stats show that shoplifting in England and Wales has hit a 20-year high, with nearly 470,000 offences reported in the year leading up to June 2024. That’s a 29% jump from the previous year!
Poundland’s low prices and high-street locations make them a prime target for shoplifters. It’s a tough situation for retailers trying to keep their businesses safe.