The police crime statistics for 2024, show a decline in reported shoplifting incidents. According to the statistics, the figures for simple shoplifting and aggravated shoplifting fell by 4.9 percent and 6.8 percent last year compared to 2023.
'The observed slight decrease in reported shoplifting incidents is no reason to sound the all-clear,' said HDE Managing Director Stefan Genth. In fact, the figures remain at a very high level when compared to the previous ten years. 'The decline compared to the peaks recorded in 2023 should not obscure the fact that the figures for 2024, like those for 2023, also exceed all figures recorded in the previous ten years.'
Shoplifting continues to pose a significant burden on retailers. 'We expect the industry to suffer economic losses from shoplifting in excess of two billion euros in 2024,' Genth continued. Furthermore, since police crime statistics only record reported cases, it cannot be ruled out that the statistics paint a distorted picture of reality. 'Many retailers are frustrated because reports rarely lead to convictions and sanctions for the perpetrators, thus saving themselves the bureaucratic hassle associated with filing criminal charges,' Genth stated. Politicians should therefore not ignore the continuing record highs. 'The HDE has put forward comprehensive proposals to better combat shoplifting; the coalition partners should take these up and implement them in the new legislative period,' Genth demanded.
With regard to the ongoing coalition negotiations, Genth welcomes the plans of the future coalition partners to improve the human and material resources of the judiciary through a pact for the rule of law. 'However, this can only be a first step, which must be followed by further measures,' Genth warns. As part of the also specifically planned reform of criminal procedural law, for example, the ability of public prosecutors to effectively discontinue criminal proceedings for reasons of efficiency must be restricted through legal changes. In order to ensure that perpetrators receive significant sanctions, an increase in the minimum sentence for serious theft offences is also urgently needed.
More information:
Handelsverband Deutschland
www.einzelhandel.de