Criminal gangs are targeting millions of shops each year and it’s bleeding the industry dry. Police must commit dedicated resourcing to tackling the problem
Shoplifting in the UK is out of control. Criminal gangs are now systematically targeting more than five million stores a year.
Not only is it bleeding the industry dry of around £400m, it’s also putting shop workers at risk. After all it’s the poor staff who are the ones in the firing line when criminals turn aggressive.
The British Retail Consortium’s annual report shows that overall violent incidents are running at a rate of 1,600 a day. That is the second highest level on record – and simply not good enough. Everyone deserves the right to feel safe in their place of work.
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Luckily the ridiculous £200 “low- value” shoplifting threshold is being scrapped to tackle rising retail crime. But we echo the BRC’s plea to have cops commit “dedicated resourcing” to tackle the problem.
We need to stop the rot in our shops, once and for all.
Civilians in firing line
It’s been four painful years since the start of the Ukraine Russian war.
And as is always the grim case with war, the human cost is clear to see. 1.8million is the estimated number of soldiers killed, wounded or missing on both sides.
14,999 is the number of civilian deaths since Russia’s all-out invasion, with the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission saying it’s likely more. 763 is the number of innocent children killed. 5.9million is the number of Ukrainian civilians who have been forced to flee their country.
As the fighting entered its fifth year yesterday, there is no end seemingly in sight. We pray for an end to this conflict soon.
Spoilsports
Overzealous weathermen are spoiling our first – and only – sunshine this year by telling Brits to sit in the shade and slap on sunblock – in winter.
They need to chill out….
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