BRC blasts Government for retail crime failings

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a scathing attack on the Government for failing to support retailers in their fight against crime.

Speaking at the launch of the 10th annual BRC Crime Survey, director general Bill Moyes said: 'Despite retailers' efforts, there is a bedrock of retail crime that retailers cannot deal with effectively on their own.'

In 2002, losses from crime were£1.7 billion - down from£1.8 billion last year - although the number of incidents rose.

Moyes criticised the Government for failing to put retail crime on the agenda, and revealed that only 4 per cent of customer thefts were reported to police last year, as retailers lost faith in the system.

'The Government and the police are clearly saying that it's up to the industry. Effectively, the costs of crime are a hidden tax on retail,' he said.

The BRC wants funding from the Government to support and extend its 250 retail crime partnerships. Moyes said: 'We want a small network of three or four people working to bring the partnerships to the same standard and introduce them in areas where they don't already exist.'

- Separately, a proposal from Moyes for a London committee of the BRC has been turned down by its board. Moyes said London retailers, hard-hit by transport failings and a tourist stayaway, need a stronger voice modelled on the Scottish organisation.

He also confirmed plans to change the BRC's funding base, with the proportion of income from subscriptions falling from 80 per cent to 50 per cent as commercial activities grow.

- Leader: page 11.