Co-op extends use of anti-theft ‘dummy display packaging’ to deter prolific and persistent offenders

10 September 2023

Co-op is extending its trial of anti-theft, empty, ‘dummy display packaging’ for targeted products on its shelves to deter rising levels of crime driven by prolific and persistent offenders.

The move is designed to help curb bulk-shoplifting - described as ‘looting’ in the worst instances.

Industry reports* show that almost two-thirds (63%) of crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders, with drug or alcohol addictions and, local organised criminal gangs, among the main drivers of offending.

The empty packaging will be used across higher value products on its shelves frequently targeted by criminals for re-sale, in stores where there is a local issue.

Products include: coffee; higher-value chocolates, washing powder and laundry gels, with shoppers simply taking the dummy display case to the till where it is exchanged for the actual product. Co-op has previously used the anti-theft packaging in a limited number of stores, and expects it to 'continue to become a more familiar feature in retailing'.

Co-op previously revealed it had seen record levels of crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour with almost 1,000 incidents each day in the six months to June (2023) - a 35% YOY increase.

The convenience retailer also warned that this level of out-of-control, 'consequence-less' crime is unsustainable and could even see some communities become a no-go area for local stores, with many Police forces not prioritising retail crime.

A freedom of information (FOI) request revealed on average, 71% of serious retail crime is not responded to by Police, and Co-op is calling on all police forces and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs to reverse the existing environment where they operate without fear of being caught or charged.

Kate McCrae Graham, Director of Operations, Co-op, said: “Crime in many communities is increasing, and it is known that repeat and prolific offenders and, local organised criminal gangs are driving serious incidents of brazen and violent theft in stores. It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and often a flashpoint for the unacceptable attacks and abuse towards my colleagues.

"Co-op continues to invest significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe. This includes the latest CCTV; body-worn cameras, undercover guarding and, extending our use of dummy - anti-theft - display cases to deter the incidents of ‘bulk-shoplifting’ or, ‘looting’, as it has been described.

"This isn’t a victim-less crime, as my store colleagues who have been verbally abused and had knives and syringes pulled on them can vouch for, but it is seemingly a consequence-less crime. While we are doing all we can, we also need the police to play their part as too often Forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams and criminals operate in communities without any fear of consequences.”

Co-op has invested more than £200M in recent years in colleague and community safety to counter criminal behaviour - per store this equates to four times the average convenience sector spend on security and safety measures.

With safety a key priority, the convenience retailer uses a wide range of targeted measures to deter criminal behaviour. This includes: interactive and remote monitored CCTV; body-worn cameras - which can send real time audio and visual footage to its security operations centre at the touch of a button; communication headsets for frontline colleagues; covert and non-covert guarding; Smartwater and, GPS tracked security cases, along with the anti-theft ‘dummy display cases’ which Co-op believes will continue to become a more familiar feature in retailing.

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Editor notes:

*Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Crime Report 2023

About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing almost 60,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its sustainability and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things it believes in.

Further information:

Andrew Torr
Senior Press Officer, Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Victoria Simons
Senior PR Business Lead, Co-op Food
M: 07974103312
E: victoria.simons@coop.co.uk

E: pressoffice@coop.co.uk