M&S Director Calls for Urgent Action on Retail Crime Surge

In a significant call to action, Thinus Keeve, Marks & Spencer's retail director, has urged authorities to intensify efforts against the surge in retail crime, describing the situation as "getting worse, not better." His remarks follow a spate of incidents, including organised shoplifting and assaults on staff, which he claims are leaving employees "worried about coming into work."

Rising Incidents and Organised Crime

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Keeve detailed numerous alarming occurrences, including gangs forcing open locked cabinets, brazen thefts of high-value items, and a security guard being assaulted during a store ransacking. He also cited instances of a colleague being headbutted and another hospitalised after having ammonia thrown in their face. These incidents, he asserts, underscore a systemic issue demanding a unified approach from government, policing, and industry.

Adam Hawksbee, M&S external affairs director, reinforced this message, explaining on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the problem has become "more brazen, more organised and more aggressive." He revealed that M&S has invested "tens of millions" in security, yet stressed that this can only achieve so much without increased police intervention and better utilisation of data to identify crime hotspots.

Mayoral and Government Response

Mr Keeve has formally written to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, advocating for enhanced police support. A spokesperson for the Mayor confirmed his support for the Met Police's targeted approach to prolific offenders and highlighted a renewed focus on neighbourhood policing, including a doubling of officers in the West End. Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones condemned the incidents as "disgraceful" and affirmed the government's commitment to empowering police with stronger tools, including ending immunity for thefts under £200.

These appeals come after a notable incident in Clapham, South London, where hundreds of young people reportedly caused anti-social behaviour, with many entering an M&S store. The Met Police made six arrests related to these events, which they attributed partly to "online trends."

The British Retail Consortium's Jim Bligh described the Clapham incidents as "deplorable," while Lord Walker, executive chairman of Iceland supermarkets, called for greater powers for security guards. The Institute of Customer Service reported a significant rise in hostility and abuse towards customer-facing staff, with 43% experiencing such incidents in the six months to October, up from 36% the previous year.