Retailers 'living in fear'

More cameras will appear in streets, schools, hospitals and stations

A new survey reveals that Northern Ireland's shopkeepers are living in fear.

The survey, by the Independent Retail News, says a quarter of retailers in the province have actually been victims of violent crime, while three quarters say they live in fear of it.

This makes Northern Ireland the worst affected area in the UK and business leaders have said it is time to take action.

Bill Jeffrey: Time for action

Speaking on Friday, Bill Jeffrey of the Federation of Small Businesses said: "I think there has always been a level of retail crime.

"It is ok for the big businesses but small businesses are isolated.

"Filling stations are desperately vulnerable. There is hardly a week goes by that there isn't a robbery at one of them.

<"And so the federation of business members and small businesses feel isolated and they need help desperately," he said.

The report also suggested that shop-keepers were suffering high degrees of stress-related illnesses.

Threatening behaviour, physical violence, shop lifting, till snatches and vandalism are everyday occurrences and part of working life for retaiilers

Richard Siddle
Editor

Approximately 83% of those surveyed said they had considered giving up their shops because of rising crime levels and 29% have lost staff as a result.

Only a small minority, 8%, sought advice from specialist support organisations while more spoke with family, friends and the police.

The editor of Independent Retail News has said the magazine will mount a campaign to "help retailers fight back against violence".

"Retail crime has reached record levels. Threatening behaviour, physical violence, shop lifting, till snatches and vandalism are everyday occurrences and part of working life for retailers," said Richard Siddle.

The magazine is calling on retailers to collect signatures for a petition which will be given to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The petition urges the government to take immediate steps to help independent and small retailers cope with violent crime in their stores.

Measures which have been proposed include assistance to help retailers invest in in-store security equipment and crime prevention.

Others include a dedicated support service to help retailers cope with the after effects of violent attacks.

Closed circuit television systems have been installed in Belfast city centre and is being urged in Londonderry to help discourage crime.