Primark boss calls for shoplifting crisis to be taken 'more seriously'
It’s got to stop! Primark boss calls for police, prosecutors and magistrates to take the shoplifting crisis ‘more seriously’
- George Weston is the latest retail chief to speak out about shoplifting ‘epidemic’
The boss of Primark yesterday called for police, prosecutors and magistrates to take the shoplifting crisis ‘more seriously’.
George Weston became the latest retail chief to speak out after John Lewis chairman Dame Sharon White warned that shoplifting has become an ‘epidemic’.
Mr Weston said Primark had experienced rising cases of both thefts and attacks on its employees.
He said: ‘We are having more of our clothes stolen than ever before, this is increasing. There has been an increase in anti-social behaviour, including assaults on shop staff.’
The high street fast-fashion chain is among the stores to be issuing more body cameras to staff as well as boosting CCTV in stores.
George Weston became the latest retail chief to speak out after John Lewis chairman Dame Sharon White warned that shoplifting has become an ‘epidemic’. Mr Weston said Primark had experienced rising cases of both thefts and attacks on its employees (file image)
READ MORE: Inside the extraordinary lengths county-lines style shoplifting gangs are willing to go to on Britain’s Wild West high streets
But Mr Weston, chief executive of Primark’s owner, Associated British Foods, said law enforcement agencies needed to take tougher action too.
He said: ‘We need the Crown Prosecution Service to take theft and assault more seriously.
‘We will play our part but we need authorities to as well.’
Retail bosses have called for English laws to match Scottish legislation that makes the abuse of a retail worker a specific offence.
Dame Sharon said earlier this week: ‘High streets have long represented the spirit – the centre – of local communities.
‘Yet they risk becoming a looting ground for emboldened shoplifters and organised gangs.’
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday, she lamented that some areas were now ‘shells of their former selves’ due to violence.
Meanwhile, some shoplifters are even sharing tips on social media on which stores to steal from.
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