The author of a new book on retail crime believes the cost to the industry is far higher than thought.

Why are we talking about it now?

The Centre for Retail Research director Professor Joshua Bamfield published Shopping and Crime last week, a book in which he claims shoplifting is the most prolific crime in Britain, costing more than burglary and mugging.

However, Bamfield, who is also the author of the Global Theft Barometer, which measures store groups’ losses through retail crime, argues that despite the billions it costs business and the high incidence rates, there is indifference to the crime and it attracts little police attention or sympathy.

How bad is it?

The British Retail Consortium’s Retail Crime Survey estimated the cost of retail crime was £1.4bn last year, up 31%. However, Bamfield believes the total is much higher, and estimated that £4bn worth of goods was stolen in 2010 alone. Retail crime was thrust further into the spotlight last year following the riots, which resulted in shops being ransacked and torched. The riots affected approximately 6.9% of stores, according to the BRC.

Who is committing the crime?

Customer offences accounted for 60% of all losses by value according to the BRC’s 2011 Retail Crime Survey, with the average theft value £85. Employee theft accounted for 3.7%, with the average amount stolen rising 18% to £342, while robberies and burglaries made up 7.1%.

What are retailers doing to prevent crime?

Retailers spent £214m on it in 2011, according to the BRC survey, which equates to £700,000 per company. Retailers invested most of their preventative budget into uniformed security staff, while CCTV grew in popularity, with investment surging 1,020% over the year.

Store groups can also share best practice via a BRC website – www.tacklingretailcrimetogether.co.uk

How do police tackle retail crime?

Despite the instant police action and lengthy sentences following the riots, Bamfield argues that UK sentencing is not as tough as other countries, including the US. The BRC believes sentencing should be more robust and reflect previous offending.

What about the Government?

The Government has proposed to introduce locally elected police and crime commissioners in November, who are accountable to local communities, including businesses. The BRC is working with the Home Office to ensure police understand the impact of retail crime and that retailers are involved in setting local crime priorities.