Publication of the 2024 Retail Crime Survey by the British Retail Consortium

That the Parliament notes the findings of the latest Crime Survey published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which includes the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC); understands that the retail industry constitutes 5% of the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is the largest private sector employer, providing around three million direct jobs and an estimated 2.7 million in the supply chain; notes that the BRC has a membership of over 200 major retailers with thousands of smaller independent retailers represented by trade association members; understands that together these businesses generate over £350 billion of retail sales per annum; is concerned that the 2024 survey report shows a 50% increase in levels of violence and abuse in the retail sector, with 1,300 reported incidents each day, and that the cost of theft has doubled to £1.8 billion in 2022-23, with over 45,000 incidents each day; expresses alarm at abuse and violence towards shop workers and acts of theft; notes with concern that "thieves have become bolder and more aggressive, and the impact on retail workers is severe", according to the BRC Chief Executive, Helen Dickinson OBE; believes that any mistreatment of retail workers is unacceptable and should not be tolerated; understands that retailers have made record investment in crime prevention, including CCTV, additional security personnel and body-worn cameras; considers that, whilst abusing or assaulting a shopworker in Scotland is now a distinct criminal offence, more can be done to ensure that those attacking retail workers are apprehended and prosecuted, thereby facing the consequences for their actions, and believes, therefore, that greater prioritisation should be given to retail crime in upcoming iterations of the Scottish Government's strategic police priorities for Scotland.