95% of retailers have been victims of crime over the last 12 months: RGDATA Survey
Over 95% of shop owners have been victims of crime in the last 12 months, according to a new survey conducted by retailers’ organisation RGDATA. The owners of over 400 convenience shops, forecourt stores and supermarkets throughout Ireland responded to the survey which highlights the serious challenges that local community-based retailers are facing in dealing with high levels of crime each day. Over two thirds of retailers now feel more vulnerable in their shops than they did in the past.
The RGDATA Crime Survey reveals that a staggering 93% of respondents have been victims of shoplifting, 40% have suffered due to fraud in their shops and 25% have been the victims of robberies/burglaries.
—————————————————–
AT A GLANCE: Summary of responses from RGDATA Crime Survey 2023
The RGDATA survey indicates that over the last 12 months;
- 93% of retailers have been victims of shoplifting.
- 40% have been victims of fraudulent activity.
- 25% said that they had been subjected to violent burglaries and robberies in their shops.
- 75% felt that levels of crime have become more dangerous over the last 12 months and they feel more vulnerable and more concerned about the staff in their shops than in the past.
Weapons were used in over a quarter of the crimes, including:
- Knives, machetes and swords
- Wheel braces, hammers and crowbars
- Firearms
- Syringes
- Axes
- Bottles
Shop owners and their staff were also subject to many abusive behaviours by people engaging in criminal activity in their stores including:
- Screaming and shouting
- Spitting
- Punching & Kicking
- Sexual harassment
- False defamation claims
Gardai were called in over 92% of cases, and response times ranged from:
- 0- 15 minutes – 27%o
- 15- 30 minutes – 30%
- 30 – 60 minutes – 17 %
- Over an hour – 26%
Over half of the retailers (58%) were satisfied with the Garda response to the crime and just under 55% have been kept updated on the investigation into the crime at their shop. In 10% of cases, a retailer’s home and family were threatened during a shop robbery and burglary. More than 50% of perpetrators of crime were from the retailer’s locality while 48% came from outside the local area. Only 25% of the perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted – with nearly 75% not being pursued by the State.On those convicted only 19% received a custodial sentence.
*(Source: Survey sample – 405 retailers – survey conducted between 10th January and 1 February 2023)