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01/08/2003
Shoplifters strike every 3.7 seconds, claims Letwin
Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin has challenged government figures that crimes rates for theft are falling – claiming that a retail crime is committed in Britain every 3.7 seconds.
Mr Letwin warned that shoplifting has "rocketed" and accused the government misleading the public by publishing crime figures which are "40% too low".
This is because the British Crime Survey, which measured 12.3 million offences, does not include retail crime in its figures – even though 8.5 million incidents involving retail premises took place in 2002, Mr Letwin said.
According to research carried out by the British Retail Consortium and the Conservatives, every shop in Britain is hit by an average 30 crimes a year, meaning there is a retail crime every 3.7 seconds. The cost of retail crime is the equivalent of £90 a year for every household in the country. The bill for the average shopkeeper was £2,700 last year, the party claimed.
"These figures show how far the government has been hiding behind the inadequacies of the British Crime Survey," said Mr Letwin.
"Much more attention needs to be paid to the three measures than can have an effect on crime: the effective, intensive, abstinence based on rehabilitation for hard drug addicts; the additional 40,000 extra police to which the Conservatives are committed; and a real effort by the Home Office to promote ‘designing out' of crime through preventative measures at retail premises," he added.
(GMcG)
Mr Letwin warned that shoplifting has "rocketed" and accused the government misleading the public by publishing crime figures which are "40% too low".
This is because the British Crime Survey, which measured 12.3 million offences, does not include retail crime in its figures – even though 8.5 million incidents involving retail premises took place in 2002, Mr Letwin said.
According to research carried out by the British Retail Consortium and the Conservatives, every shop in Britain is hit by an average 30 crimes a year, meaning there is a retail crime every 3.7 seconds. The cost of retail crime is the equivalent of £90 a year for every household in the country. The bill for the average shopkeeper was £2,700 last year, the party claimed.
"These figures show how far the government has been hiding behind the inadequacies of the British Crime Survey," said Mr Letwin.
"Much more attention needs to be paid to the three measures than can have an effect on crime: the effective, intensive, abstinence based on rehabilitation for hard drug addicts; the additional 40,000 extra police to which the Conservatives are committed; and a real effort by the Home Office to promote ‘designing out' of crime through preventative measures at retail premises," he added.
(GMcG)
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Nearly 200 crimes missed by DNA failings
Nearly 200 crimes went undetected due to failings over DNA samples, it has been revealed. The failure to archive DNA evidence resulted in 183 crimes going undetected, including one paedophile offence, three robberies, nine burglaries, 19 drugs offences and 62 thefts, the National DNA Database annual report revealed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
