Co-op crime-wave worsens with West Midlands workers at mercy of violent raiders
The Co-op has reported that crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in its stores have increased by more than a third in the past year.
The company revealed there were more than 175,000 incidents in the first six months of this year – almost 1,000 every day.
One inner city London store was “looted” three times in a single day and there have been many cases involving violence in stores across the West Midlands.
The Co-op warned that this level of “out-of-control crime” is unsustainable and could see some communities become a no-go area for local stores. The convenience retailer called on police forces and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs, with many said to operate without fear of being caught.
A Freedom of Information request by Co-op showed that police failed to respond in 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported. The Co-op also revealed that front-line store workers have seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost a third and, anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse by a fifth.
Violence in our region has included:
