SHOPLIFTERS are not a major threat to local shopkeepers at Christmas. Chamber of Commerce retail sub-committee chairman Tony Creasey said traders would not be losing sleep over it.
That is in stark contrast to shops in the UK which are on high alert after Checkpoint Retail predicted a surge in shoplifting in the run-up to Christmas.
It said more than 105,000 thefts would occur as shoplifters targeted stock worth £430m., including perfumes, drink and electronics.
Mr Creasey said while Guernsey traders were concerned, it was not a major problem.
‘We can’t ignore it and retailers have to be aware,’ he said.
‘When the stores are busier, the opportunists may make an attempt to take some merchandise, but it is not a significant risk for our traders.
‘The retail community has invested in a number of different deterrents such as alarms and CCTV.
‘The police are also very mindful and often have both plainclothes and uniformed officers on patrol. I am sure they will have the same measures in place this year.’
A survey by the British Retail Consortium showed that the value of goods stolen from shops has hit a 10-year high.
Checkpoint Retail reported that in the UK the growth of Christmas shoplifting will mean a 206% rise from a normal four-week period.
It has predicted that goods worth £26m. will be stolen on Saturday 22 December alone - expected to be 2007’s busiest shopping day.
That means that £48,833 would be stolen every minute.
Mr Creasey said he could not see that being repeated in Guernsey.
‘We are not immune to it and I don’t want to sound blase, but the problem is not as severe as it is in UK cities,’ he said.
‘Guernsey is a small community and while we are aware that it does happen, it is by no means as bad as elsewhere and it is not something that is high on our agenda this year.’
Popular items for thieves, who are on average caught with £86-worth of goods, are designer-label perfumes, whisky and women’s wear.
Au Caprice assistant manager Paula Williams said she had security measures in place to ensure shoplifting was kept under control.
‘It is a problem and we do have items taken occasionally, but we always prosecute every shoplifter that we catch,’ she said.
‘We have CCTV and we also have a lot of staff working during peak times when the store is busy.
‘Because of our vigilance, I would not say that we have a huge loss of revenue from shoplifting during Christmas.’
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