Home secretary Priti Patel has called on the police to do more to protect shop owners and their stock from criminals who target them at cash and carry depots.
Following a meeting with representatives of food and drink wholesalers during a visit to Costco in Chingford with local MP Iain Duncan Smith, she warned that if the police don’t do something about it, “they will answer to me”.
The lack of police response to these incidents was outlined to Patel by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD).
The trade body advised Patel that although the number of incidents has decreased in the last year, retailers buying tobacco and other high-value products have been targeted either in cash and carry car parks or after leaving the site.
According to the FWD, its members have reported that the response from police is so inadequate that criminals are increasingly using violence and intimidation as they have no fear of prosecution.
The FWD explained that wholesalers have invested in CCTV, number plate recognition cameras and security patrols to protect their customers and colleagues. Posters and flyers have also been placed in cash and carry depots warn visitors not to leave stock or personal belongings unattended in their vehicles.
Despite these efforts, the FWD said incidents still occur, with tobacco as the primary target for thefts and robberies. FWD wholesalers also reported that the police do not give these crimes sufficient attention or appreciate the size of the loss involved and have a poor attitude to wholesale crime.
FWD chief executive James Bielby explained the severity of the situation and how disappointing the lack of police response was. “We told the Home Secretary that criminals who target retailers have no fear being caught and prosecuted. Police response to thefts and robberies from customers in cash and carry car parks has been appalling. In many cases, officers have refused to even attend incidents, let alone investigate them.
“This is not shoplifting, it is organised crime, and it’s an issue for all cash and carry operators equally. A single tobacco theft can cost a small independent shop thousands of pounds. Increasingly, the criminals will use or threaten violence. Where wholesalers have put in security measures to protect their customers, the criminals have followed vehicles off the premises and attacked them in transit.”
More protection needed
Bielby called for more support from the Home Secretary to protect retailers.
“It’s not right that small shop owners should be put at physical or financial risk because the police ignore these thefts and robberies. We have asked the Home Secretary to urgently instruct police forces to give greater priority to apprehending and prosecuting the criminals who do this.
In response to this plea, Patel said: “I grew up in the retail world and I’ve seen the effect of having your stock stolen. Theft of high value products like tobacco can decimate a business. They can destroy cash flow, and the goodwill of the business as well.
“The police have to do more. They have to come down to wholesale outlets and work with wholesalers to make sure gangs are absolutely not preying on their customers.
“It’s important not only that we highlight the whole issue of wholesale crime, but actually that we work with police to ensure they work with wholesalers and retailers to stop this level of crime taking place.”
She went on to say that she will be telling Borough Commanders that “it’s not good enough and we need police action”. “If they don’t so something about it, they will answer to me.”
Retailer safety
Bielby also advised store owners to be more vigilant when at the cash and carry.
“Retailers can do a lot to protect themselves and their stock by ensuring they don’t leave their vehicle unattended while shopping. Most incidents could be avoided with simple measures like locking your vehicle and not leaving cash or belongings on display. Depot staff are always on hand to help them transfer their purchases to their van and help them load. We also recommend that retailers leaving the cash and carry keep an eye out for vehicles following them, and call the police immediately if they suspect they are being followed.”
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