Stores are being forced to hire detectives to protect staff because police are “not interested” in tackling shoplifting, the boss of Marks & Spencer’s has claimed.
M&S chairman Archie Norman said officers are offering “very little help” despite retail theft reaching the highest level on record last year.
His comments echo complaints from other bosses who say the lack of action by police forces effectively means crime in workshops is “decriminalised”.
Household names such as Tesco and Co-op have also raised the alarm, pleading with ministers to ensure theft and abuse of workers are taken more seriously.
They have said that in many cases police officers do not go to stores when a theft is reported.
Lack of help: M&S chairman Archie Norman said police offer “very little help” to tackle shoplifters, despite retail theft reaching the highest level on record last year.
Asked if the police approach had improved, Norman told LBC radio’s Nick Ferrari: “We got very little help from the police.
“We have to accept that the police are no longer interested in this type of crime.”
Shoplifting has risen to alarming levels since the pandemic, while the cost of living crisis has also been seen as a catalyst for incidents.
The number of theft offenses recorded by the police increased by 37 percent to a total of 430,104 in 2023.
This was the highest since Office for National Statistics records began in 2002.
But Norman said theft at M&S is actually falling “mainly” thanks to the retailer’s own efforts and not those of the police.
The High Street stalwart has invested money in crime prevention measures such as shop detectives and camera systems.
Retailers spent a record £1.2bn on crime deterrents last year, according to industry group British Retail Consortium.
Responding to Norman’s comments, Chief Superintendent Alex Goss, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for retail crime, said officers were “committed to doing everything we can to reduce theft and pursue criminals.” “.
The NPCC worked with the Government to develop a retail crime plan last year, which was “already seeing positive results”, he added.