High Streets UK calls on Government to get tough on retail crime
High Streets UK, the "pro-growth" partnership and lobbying group of more than 5,000 businesses across the country, has warned that without urgent action to make high streets safer, the Government’s promises risk falling short.
It comes in the wake of the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), highlighting that retail crime losses have soared to £2 billion. It also comes after police chiefs last week demanded "substantial investment" to meet anti-crime targets.
High Streets UK (HSUK) is issuing a set of policy recommendations for the Government today, following its Safer High Streets Forum that took place in London yesterday.
A four-point policy proposal includes greater funding with ring-fenced policing for flagship destinations, criminal justice reform, a coordinated crackdown on international organised crime, and a national framework for business crime reporting.
Dee Corsi, Chair of High Streets UK and CEO of founding member, New West End Company, said: "Flagship high streets are engines of the local and national economy, drivers of tourism, and anchors for communities. But without urgent national action on crime, they are at serious risk.
"We have welcomed the government’s renewed focus on retail crime in particular. But we must go further and faster to tackle all types of crime affecting high streets, having a devastating effect on businesses and communities, tarnishing the UK’s global reputation, and jeopardising tourism and investment.
"At our Safer High Streets Forum, we shared our frontline experience of the international criminal gangs, business crime, prolific offenders and anti-social behaviour affecting our high streets – none of which can be meaningfully tackled with the current systems and resources in place.
"Together, we have set out a clear, practical blueprint for change. It’s now time to focus on delivery."
The Safer High Streets Forum is the second quarterly meeting since the launch of HSUK, "building on its work to shape government policy and unlock growth".
