Is the cost of living crisis driving up shoplifting crimes in Inverness?
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Shoplifting cases are on the rise in Inverness with the cost of living crisis being cited as a possible factor.
As people find themselves facing difficult financial circumstances, some are resorting to crime to feed themselves and their families, according to anecdotal reports.
New figures for Inverness reveal 594 reported shoplifting incidents for the year ending in March
It represents a hike of 111 – or 23 per cent – from 483 cases of recorded cases of shoplifting the previous year while the detection rate was 63 per cent.
The figures are contained in the annual police performance report for the Inverness area command presented to city councillors.
Inverness Ness-side councillor Alasdair Christie queried whether there was a link with the cost of living crisis, saying anecdotally he had people were stealing potatoes, bread and tins from the Co-op store in Church Street rather than razors, perfumes and things to sell.
Inverness area police commander, Chief Inspector Judy Hill, agreed anecdotally there was a potential link although it was difficult to categorize but said the police were working to signpost people to services if they thought people were shoplifting to survive.
Although the report cautions about making comparisons between this year and previous recent years due to the effects of coronavirus pandemic – which particularly affected the retail sector – city businesses and organisations have acknowledged concern about the rising raids on shop shelves and are stepping up of measures to deter criminals.
John McDonald, community safety manager at Inverness Business Improvement District (BID), believed the cost of living crisis was having an impact along with young people coming to the Highland capital from other areas.
"What the evidence is showing and the experience is showing just now is there is an increase in youth-related acquisitive crime," he said.
"There is also a rise of people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged with the cost of living crisis and are having to deal with very difficult circumstances and some are turning to crime not only to feed themselves and their families but also their habits."
He said a lot of shoplifting in the city centre was food stock and low-value items from larger stores targeted by young people but he also highlighted the massive impact it could have on small independent retailers.
"The impact on small businesses can have an exponential effect on their profit margins," he said.
"One high-value theft can decimate the profits for a week.
"If a trader is trading in that environment, it can be very difficult for them.
"From Inverness BID's point of view, we are concerned not only for small independent or niche traders but also larger stores as well."
He said Inverness BID was working closely with Police Scotland along with other groups to tackle the issue and cited the detection rate of 63 per cent thanks to evidence and intelligence gathering.
Chris Kershaw, manager of the city's Eastgate Shopping Centre, said shoplifting is a concern.
"Within the centre, our team works diligently to support the retailers who are facing much higher than usual levels of shoplifting as reflected across the city," he said.
"In addition to this, acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour have risen alongside the shoplifting figures and are becoming more frequent.
"This has led to additional resource being implemented to tackle this within the centre."
Inverness area police commander, Chief Inspector Judy Hill, who presented the report to councillors, acknowledged the impact of the cost of living challenges on communities, including those who have not felt such hardship before.
She said the police force continued to work with its partners to support those who were vulnerable and in need of assistance.
"We work closely with partners in the retail and business sectors to deter and prevent shoplifting, while also investigating any incidents that do occur.
“Where we identify business which are being targeted by shoplifters, we have trained officers who can attend and carry out security surveys and offer advice around prevention.
“I would encourage businesses to invest in crime reduction measures and education to help reduce shoplifting. Anyone interested in further advice to speak to us."
She said in June, Retailer Against Crime (RAC) provided a presentation for businesses in the city centre but said shoplifting cases were happening across Inverness, and were not just confined to the city centre.
"We are acutely aware that people may become involved in shoplifting for a variety of reasons," she said.
"Where appropriate. officers are working with partners to signpost people into services who can help, including food provision services."
Munawar Ahmad, who owns Station News at Inverness bus station, says shoplifting and antisocial behaviour by groups of teenagers are a persistent issue.
He estimates he could be costing him £50 to £60 a month and is now at looking at various preventative measures.
He believes the official shoplifting figures for Inverness do not give the full picture.
"There a lot of people who don't complain," he said. "They just let it go."
Mr Ahmad thought the cost of living crisis could be factor but said teenagers stealing alcohol, cigarettes and vapes are a big issue.
He said it also has an impact on staff members.
"One of them said to me, 'I am fed up – every single day the same thing is happening. We cannot carry on like this. It is insane.'," Mr Ahmad said.
