The £2.2bn shoplifting epidemic sweeping the UK has left store detectives struggling to contain the surge, with one security operative revealing the immense pressure faced daily. John Kinnie, a 50-year-old store detective patrolling stores in West Yorkshire, says the current laws limiting security guards' powers are hindering efforts to curb retail crime.
Mr Kinnie, employed by Kingdom Security, blends in with shoppers to spot tell-tale signs of theft, such as suspicious behaviour or items placed in bags rather than trolleys. He often monitors self-scan tills, which he identifies as a hotspot for theft where customers skip scanning items.
Despite his vigilance, Mr Kinnie says the non-physical intervention policy at the major chain where he works means he can only verbally challenge thieves and retrieve stolen goods without detaining them. He described it as “incredibly frustrating” that they cannot detain suspects, leaving them to log incidents and issue banning orders that are often ignored.
The detective added that police rarely attend incidents, and when they do, they sometimes decline to prosecute, citing it as “not in the public interest.” He called for officers to respond to all reports of retail theft, arguing it would provide a visual deterrent and increase chances of prosecution.
The Express has launched its 'Stop The Shoplifters' campaign, urging government action to address the crisis, which costs retailers £2.2bn annually—a cost inevitably passed onto customers. Retailers have already spent £1.8bn on security measures as the problem escalates.
