British supermarkets are providing financial support for police efforts to combat shoplifting in the UK.

Polizei unterstützen, indem sie mehr Sicherheitspersonal einstellen und Überwachungstechnologien verbessern.Polizei finanzieren. Die Supermarktketten Sainsbury’s, Tesco und Waitrose sowie der Kaufhausbetreiber John Lewis gehören zu den zehn Unternehmen, die der Polizei insgesamt 600.000 Pfund (700.000 Euro) zur Verfügung stellen. Im Gegenzug soll die Behörde Aufnahmen von Dieben auf Überwachungskameras mit ihren Datenbanken vergleichen und dabei auch Software zur Gesichtserkennung einsetzen.

Ladendiebstähle sind in GroßbritannienAccording to estimates by the BRC trade association, it is projected that in 2022, the number of thefts will increase by approximately a quarter (26 percent). The annual cost of these thefts amounts to around one billion pounds. The significant increase in living expenses and imitators through viral videos on TikTok are cited as reasons for this.

The companies accuse the police of not taking shoplifting seriously enough. Out of 339,206 cases reported between April 2022 and March 2023, less than 50,000 resulted in charges. In over half of the cases, investigations were closed without identifying the perpetrators. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deemed this development unacceptable.

Ladendiebstahl in Germany has recently increased significantly. However, this is likely due to the end of the Corona regulations, according to the German Retail Association (HDE). During the lockdowns and times of reduced customer traffic, shoplifters had a much harder time. There is no evidence, on the other hand, to suggest a connection between inflation and an increase in shoplifting.

In Germany as well, many offenses would not be reported at all because it often does not entail significant consequences for shoplifters.