Members' Business — S6M-14053 Sharon Dowey: Addressing Retail Crime and Antisocial Behaviour

That the Parliament notes the view that addressing retail crime and antisocial behaviour should be a priority for both the Scottish and UK governments; acknowledges and deplores the reported significant increase in abuse and violence towards shop workers and rise in shoplifting, which it understands is often the main factor behind abuse and threats, with official data reportedly showing a 21% annual increase in shoplifting incidents; understands that the British Retail Consortium’s latest crime survey reveals that there are 1,300 incidents of violence or abuse against retail workers daily, double the number prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; expresses concern over the reported £1.8 billion cost of retail theft in the last reporting year and the £1.2 billion spent by shops on crime prevention measures such as CCTV and body-worn cameras; highlights what it sees as the importance of the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 in improving visibility and legal protection for retail workers in Scotland, including in the South Scotland region; notes the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for a greater prioritisation of retail crime by government and law enforcement; further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to provide the police and courts the necessary direction and resources to prosecute offenders; notes the calls for better reporting of incidents by retailers to ensure a fuller picture of the problem, and further notes what it sees as the need for public communication campaigns to explain any new mandated rules on the selling of regulated products in store, which can often be a common trigger for flashpoints, and to make clear that poor customer behaviour will not be tolerated.