Retail Crime - Protecting UK Shop Workers

The UK is experiencing an acknowledged retail crime epidemic where criminals have ‘freedom to loot’ with rampant levels of out-of-control crime predominantly committed by repeat and prolific offenders, with drug or alcohol addictions and, local organised criminal gangs, among the main drivers of offending.

Within Co-op, violent attacks, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour had jumped 40%+ in the year – approaching 1,000 incidents per-day across 2,400 stores in 2023. As a business, we have spent over £200m implementing safety measures in stores to keep our colleagues safe and to try and prevent theft. But without the police stepping in and responding to calls from store colleagues, there was little hope of reducing the incident rate. We need to make a brave and bold move to speak up, to change the external media narrative that this type of crime and abuse was as a result of the cost of living crisis, to position Co-op as a leading voice in the media on the topic and to raise so much awareness of the issue, that the police and Government had to take notice and make a change to their approach. This award entry outlines the year long PR campaign Co-op Food undertook to use our voice through the media to take on the retail crime wave, to help protect our amazing store colleagues and make a difference in communities across the UK.