The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched SCAR (Stop Crime Against Retail) – a campaign to elevate the issue of retail crime and press Government and police to take retail crime more seriously.
Under SCAR, the retailers’ body will call on Government for stronger and more consistent penalties to deter criminals, ensure Government works with the sector to raise awareness of the impact of violence against retailers and call for Police to modify the system of crime reporting, to encourage victims to report crimes and to measure the true extent of retail crime.
The SCAR campaign comes before the BRC’s Annual Retail Crime Conference on 19 October, where Hazel Blears, Minister of State for the Home Office, will outline the effect of the Government reform agenda on retail and the development of a specific national strategy for retail crime. The conference also sees the launch of the BRC 12th Annual Crime Survey.
What they say
BRC Director General, Kevin Hawkins, said: “Retail crime is not victimless. It leaves deep scars not only on business viability and retail staff, but also on the community. The retail sector has been forced to double investment in crime prevention to combat growing threats and these significant costs are often passed on to all threads of society. We hope the appropriately named SCAR campaign will help raise the seriousness of crime against retail and highlight the scars it leaves. Retail crime is a priority for us and should be a higher priority for Police and Government.
About the survey
Last year’s showed crime cost the industry £1.96 billion in 2003 and levels of violence against staff soared. To make bookings for the conference in London or get more information, please ring Louise Alford on 020 7854 8971, or for a list of all speakers please visit: www.brc.org.uk/brctrading/events_policy/20051019_crime.htm
