SHOPKEEPERS are suffering record levels of theft and violence according to a report released today.

The Association of Convenience Stores’ 2018 Crime Report has revealed a significant rise in the number of shop thefts committed against retailers over the last year, with theft increasingly being linked to aggressive behaviour towards retailers and their staff.

The 2018 ACS Crime Report shows that shop theft can often lead to abusive and violent behaviour, with retailers reporting that challenging shop thieves was the biggest cause of aggressive behaviour in stores.

In total, there have been more than 13,000 incidents of violence reported nationwide over the last year, although it’s likely that many more incidents have gone unreported.

Retailers have reported that violence against staff is the number one thing that they are most concerned about when dealing with crime.

The Daily Echo recently reported on local victims, including Alpesh Patel who runs the Spar shop in Wimborne Road, Winton.

He said he loses around £500 per month to shoplifters and fears for his safety while at work.

Adam Phillips, who runs Boscombe East post office and Phillips News in Christchurch Road, also voiced fears for the future of small shops after reporting numerous cases of theft.

Both said they receive little help from the police.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Retailers and their staff are facing violence and abuse on a regular basis for enforcing the law, whether it be through challenging shop thieves, refusing the sale of age restricted products like tobacco and alcohol, or refusing to serve people that are intoxicated.

“Retailers need a consistent response from the police to ensure that when a crime is committed against a retailer it is taken seriously by the police and the courts.

“Shop thefts especially are often being committed by people that are dependent on drugs or alcohol, or part of an organised gang, with many now unafraid to turn to violence when challenged.”