From this week, the service available for stores wishing to report a shoplifting offence in Scotland got a little easier.
As of yesterday (23 March) incidents of shoplifting - no matter the value of item(s) taken - can now be reported in the country via a simple form now live on the Police Scotland website.
Anyone can report the crime, whether the retailer or an employee, and all they’ll need to fill in the form is a brief description of what happened, one of the suspect, the estimated value of the stolen items - however small – and any witness details or CCTV footage, if either is available, although this is not essential.
Posting on social media this morning, Scottish retailer Natalie Lightfoot called on other retailers to make sure they use the new service. “We need to keep reporting so the police and government know the real scale of the shoplifting epidemic.
“It’s live for use across the Scottish retail community and its purpose is to reduce waiting times on 101. For anything life threatening, continue to telephone 999.”
The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) has also responded to the news. The Fed’s Scottish president, Hussan Lal, said: “We have lobbied long and hard for better protection for retailers when it comes to shoplifting.
“While an improved reporting system is of obvious benefit to retailers, The Fed will continue to call for the Scottish government to back small independent retailers like our members through action to reduce retail crime - such as through targeted security grants.”
If needed, the new online form can be accessed here.
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