This article highlights the issue of shoplifting at Planet Organic health food stores in London, as reported by the head of security, Richard Fowler.This article highlights the issue of shoplifting at Planet Organic health food stores in London, as reported by the head of security, Richard Fowler. Key Points: * Planet Organic loses around £900,000 annually due to shoplifting. * Fowler claims that some customers feel entitled to steal, especially those who frequently shop at the store. * Three types of shoplifters are identified: homeless people, opportunistic shoplifters, and regular customers facing financial difficulties. * The Met Police data shows a significant increase in shoplifting incidents in London over the past year, with the vast majority of cases going unreported due to the absence of officers. * The government plans to overhaul shoplifting policing under £200 as part of the new Crime Bill. * Experts suggest that the lack of neighborhood policing contributes to the prevalence of shoplifting. Additional Details: * Fowler believes that opportunistic shoplifters drop items into their bags when they think no one is paying attention. * The new Crime Bill aims to strengthen police powers to address anti-social behavior and support victims. * Professor Emmeline Taylor highlights the importance of community policing to curb shoplifting and other anti-social activities.
Image caption, Richard Fowler, head of security at Planet Organic, says some customers feel they are ‘entitled’ to steal from the chain Article information
- Author, Helen pulled
- Role, BBC news
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3 minutes ago
The head of security at a chain of health food stores in London said the business is losing “£900,000 a year” to shoplifting.
According to Richard Fowler of Planet Organic, some customers feel they have the “right” to steal from the chain because they shop there regularly.
It comes as the government has pledged to overhaul policing of shoplifting under £200 as part of a new Crime Bill.
More than 57,000 shoplifting incidents were reported in London last year.
‘Every day’
Mr Fowler said thefts were taking place “every day” at the chain’s Chiswick store.
“There are three types of shoplifters,” he said.
“We have our homeless people… Then we have what I would call the Posh Totty people. They shop at Planet Organic every day, they spend a lot of money on our business,” he said.
“(They think) ‘I’m a little short on cash today, so I can steal something.’”
He said the third type of shoplifter is the “opportunist,” who “drops” something in his bag when he thinks no one is looking.
“We lose £900,000 a year just through theft,” he said.
Image caption, According to Mr Fowler, some “opportunistic” shoplifters drop products in their bags when they think no one is looking.
Met Police data shows 38,157 shoplifting offences were reported in 2022, and 57,453 in 2023.
In the vast majority of cases, no officer was present.
The Met Police said it was unrealistic to respond to every case, but “where there is a suspect at the scene and the situation is likely to become heated or violent”, operators would “dispatch officers where appropriate”.
He said it would “give police greater powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and strengthen support for victims”.
The new law also targets people who steal goods worth less than £200, a rollback of 2014 legislation that saw lighter penalties for ‘small value’ theft.
Image caption, City University Professor Emmeline Taylor says community policing is helping to ‘eradicate’ shoplifting
Emmeline Taylor, professor of criminology at City University, said: “It is well known that the police have been overstretched and understaffed for more than a decade.
“It’s not just about the number of police officers taken off the streets, it’s also about the operational approach and strategy.
“We have seen the neighbourhood police being abolished and it is (the neighbourhood police) that can really tackle… problems – antisocial behaviour, shoplifting, vandalism – before they escalate.”
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