Retailers say a rising number of parents are using children to shoplift on their behalf
Increasing insurance claims and Brexit worries are also weighing on the sector.
IRELAND’S PEAK RETAIL body says store owners are increasingly worried about children shoplifting on behalf of their parents because the youths can’t be prosecuted.
Retail Excellence, which represents shops across the country, will hold a briefing session today on crime issues that are affecting the industry.
According to the industry body, shops ranging from electronics retailers to garden centres have been reporting higher rates of thefts involving children.
A spokeswoman for the group said among the issues highlighted by retailers was “the increase in instances where children are being used by their parents to pilfer items from stores”.
“This happens primarily because they cannot be prosecuted, as very often they have not reached the criminal age of responsibility.
“The fact their parents are not being charged as accessories in a crime ensures repetition of this kind of theft will continue to retailers’ detriment.”
The spokeswoman said that this type of shoplifting could amount to millions in lost revenue for shop owners over an extended period.
Garda response
When asked if there had been an increase in the relevant thefts, An Garda Síochána pointed to the latest CSO crime figures.
Gardaí didn’t respond on what the official response would be to discovering a parent had involved their child in robberies.
Meanwhile, the recorded garda figures of ‘theft from a shop’ have declined slightly over the past two years. The statistics don’t include a breakdown of reported robberies involving children.
Other problems
Retail Excellence also plans to flag other concerns in the briefing, including that a rise in insurance claims coupled with Brexit fears have put additional strains on business owners.
There have also been reports of retail employees clubbing together to buy solid fuel from rogue sellers.
Retail Excellence said that these sellers supply briquettes and coal without carbon tax being applied to them, which deprives retailers of business and the exchequer of tax income.
Written by Gráinne Ní Aodha and posted on TheJournal.ie
