The latest episode of Bira’s ‘High Street Matters’ podcast takes a look into the psychology of shop theft, exploring why criminals target independent retailers. It also reveals the complex network behind what many wrongly dismiss as a victimless crime.
Professor Emmeline Taylor, one of Britain’s leading retail crime experts from City, St George’s University of London, is interviewed by journalist Steve Dyson, alongside the British Independent Retailers Association’s (Bira) ceo Andrew Goodacre, to understand the mindset behind retail crime.
“We need to move beyond the term ‘shoplifting’ as it no longer represents the scale and severity of the crime we’re seeing,” states Professor Taylor, who reveals shocking insights into criminal motivation. “We’re dealing with three distinct groups – opportunists, drug-affected persistent offenders, and organised criminal gangs who have identified retail as a high-reward, low-risk target.”
Andrew Goodacre emphasises how criminal behaviour has evolved. He said: “What used to be concentrated in groceries, alcohol and cigarettes has expanded. Everything is now a target. These aren’t opportunistic thieves – these are calculated criminals.”
The human impact on independent retailers is devastating, as he describes. He said: “For independent retailers, this isn’t just about lost stock – it’s their savings being stolen. The mental damage and stress are overwhelming our shopkeepers.”
The episode provides crucial insights into criminal psychology and behaviour, highlighting the need for a coordinated response to what has become a national crisis.
Bira’s ‘High Street Matters’ podcast series is available on all major streaming platforms.
Top: Shoplifting has become a national crisis, with everything, to include stealing giftware, a target for criminals.
