The reality of rocketing levels of shoplifting on one of Liverpool's busiest streets stems from "poverty and despair", readers believe.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported a 24% rise in shoplifting offences in England and Wales over the past year and an 11% increase here on Merseyside.
This week the ECHO visited Bold Street to speak to businesses affected by the offense, speaking to well known stores including Resurrection, Shared Earth, and, Grin. The story has sparked a strong response from readers who have called for more to be done to end austerity with people stating that everywhere they look they see “poverty and despair”.
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One person commented: “Stealing from small independent businesses is wrong on every level. I am not condoning shoplifting at all, but with the price of food, I can understand how desperate some people must be.
“This country is done for. I really fear for our kids and their kid's future. Everywhere you look you just see poverty and despair. If I was younger I would emigrate."
Retail trade union Usdaw’s latest annual survey of over 7,500 shop workers found that 31% of incidents of violence, threats, and abuse related to shoplifting in 2022, which is not only higher than in 2019 but also more than double that of 2016.
Another person said: "I think shoplifting occurs for a variety of reasons. But food theft accounts for almost all shoplifting right now, that’s desperation right there.”
According to Feeding Liverpool, at least one in three adults are experiencing ‘food insecurity’ which means they are worrying about how they will afford food this week, reducing the quality and quantity of food, skipping meals, or for some people, going hungry.
In Liverpool over 2,100 emergency food parcels are distributed every week by over 65 food banks and community organisations.
One person remarked: “The cost of living crisis is directly attributable. Shoplifting is increasing because the market for stolen goods is increasing. People are poorer, they can afford less, and the temptation of cheaper goods is all too easy. We need change, not scapegoat excuses."
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