Retail theft is not a victimless crime
Shoplifting is increasing at an alarming rate, this month’s article has a particular focus on Dublin city. However, shoplifting is a national epidemic, and it continues to rise, writes Tony Gallagher
Print20 September 2024
Retail crime costs retailers an estimated €1.62 billion every year, according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association.
The Taoiseach has stated in recent media interviews that he will soon receive the report from the Dublin City Taskforce which he convened earlier this year, the taskforce was tasked with bringing recommendations to improve the public realm, safety and experience in the City Centre, with the aim of making the area a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape. In an interview on Newstalk on the 30 of August ’24, the Taoiseach referred to the GPO stating that it has the potential to be a “focal point” as part of a plan to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre, a positive statement, yes!
Over the last two years I have given interviews to the media on a range of topics and particularly on anti-social behaviour and crime in Dublin City (#Dublin After Dark, Virgin Media Documentary). The General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin’s O’Connell Street is a symbol of the founding of the Nation, it is a National focus point and tourists internationally identify with it. O’Connell St and the City Centre receives a footfall of approximately 100 million people a year and a substantial percentage of that number is tourism related. The method of policing of O’Connell Street is a barometer on how policing nationally is judged, if our National Promenade is not sufficiently policed it will have an influence on public opinion and their perception of safety. Garda resources must follow the footfall, if there are 100 million visitors to Dublin City each year then it is logical that the level of policing at city center stations needs to increase, the frontline high visibility policing should be the priority.
Safety first
The City Centre is a commercial, tourism and entertainment zone, people visit the city to enjoy the experience, and it is legitimate for them to have a reassurance that they will be safe. Diners enjoy outdoor dining experience; they like to take in the view of a vibrant city and restaurants attract more diners because of outdoor seating.
The reality is different, and it starts with Begging. It is almost impossible to enjoy alfresco dining and drinks outside any premises without been intruded upon by beggars and in most cases they have addiction issues, the sight of addicts approaching customers more than once in an evening is enough to convince a diner not to return. It is also unsightly to witness Beggars taking up a position directly outside High Street Shops, customers almost have to step over them or walk around them to enter the shop. There is an undertone to this begging, the staff inside the shops are afraid of the profile of persons that beg, many of the same beggars also turn to shoplifting and impose themselves at coffee counters to help themselves causing hygiene issues, it is intimidating for staff.
Frontline support
I am in Dublin City on a weekly basis providing frontline support and consultation to several retail stores on either side of the Liffey, I listen to the accounts of the level of theft and the experiences of the frontline retail staff. It is frequently the case that staff are subjected to abuse, racist comments and assaults, they are afraid to go to court and give evidence in cases where shoplifters are apprehended, why, because they see no meaningful sanctions being applied by the courts. It is frequently the case that recidivist offenders are granted bail, so the staff see them back in the shops.
I can state from my conversations with store Managers and the Gardai that there are approximately twenty-five very prolific offenders engaged in shoplifting in the Dublin City, these persons are known but the wheel of justice is very slow to adequately deal with these offenders.
Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011
There is a specific offence under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011, it is an offence under Section 3(3) of the Act to beg outside a Business premises, the retailers that I represent and work with are calling for this legislation to be enforced, if the begging issue is dealt with it will solve many other issues but it must start here, visitors and tourists to the city must see real evidence of high visibility policing to change the perception around public safety.
Read more: Limerick retailer loses €250,000 a year through retail crime
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