Four out of five charity shops say they have seen an increase in shoplifting over the past year, a survey has revealed.
Research conducted by the Charity Retail Association found instances of shoplifting from respondents’ shops increased by an average of 31 per cent, which equated to an average of £33,556 lost from the charities over the past year.
The CRA said that if this were to be extrapolated across its overall membership it would total more than £15m lost from charity retailers.
The increase in shoplifting led to 67 per cent of respondents having to take extra security measures to combat theft, costing an average of £8,820 per charity.
The survey also found that 85 per cent of respondents did not report all shoplifting incidents to the police and an average of 78 per cent of incidents went unreported.
The CRA said the survey received 61 responses, representing 13 per cent of its membership.
Robin Osterley, chief executive of the CRA, said: “The loss of these funds through shoplifting can have a direct impact on the ability of charities to provide or expand these services, which is why seeing so many shops affected and an increase in shoplifting over the past year is so concerning.
“It is something that charity shops urgently need support with, whether it is increased support from the police or campaigning at a national level to stop the abuse that is faced by retail staff and volunteers.
“Being predominantly bricks-and-mortar stores with large volumes of stock, they are often a target for shoplifting, as well as abuse of staff and volunteers.
“Among some criminals there seems to be a perception that this is a ‘victimless crime’, as most of the goods stolen have been donated by the public.
“However, the effect on the morale of staff and volunteers can be devastating, as well as the loss of potential income, so this is far from the case.”
Earlier this month, the CRA addressed comments made by Dame Sharon White, chair of the retailer John Lewis, who dismissed high streets as “shells of their former selves” and “seemingly endless rows of vaping and charity shops”.
Osterley rejected this idea and said: “Charity shops have always worked hand-in-hand with businesses of all sizes to attract footfall and provide variety, choice and vibrancy to local areas.
“They are not a symptom of high street decline, but are part of the solution to it.”