Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour towards staff at 'all-time high'
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Retailers told an Oireachtas Committee on Wednesday that since the pandemic, shoplifting has reached "astronomical" proportions and anti-social behaviour towards staff is at an "all-time high."
Representatives from the Musgrave Group, Retail Grocery Dairy and Allied Traders Association (RGData), and the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) are appearing before the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, chief executive of the CSNA Vincent Jennings said shoplifting was not a victimless crime.
He told RTÉ radio's retail staff were experiencing "vile, misogynistic, and racist" levels of abuse, and he was concerned about the ability of the sector to retain staff.
Mr Jennings dismissed claims the growth in shoplifting was as a result of the rise in the cost of living.
He has called for Tusla to get involved because he claims "children are now being used in the belief that they could not be prosecuted".
When asked if the thieves were armed, Mr Jennings said very often their physical presence, and the sense of menace, was enough of a threat to staff.
He also said there was “most certainly” an element of racism involved.
According to Mr Jennings, the issue is not just a problem in cities, it is happening all over the country. He said it was widespread and had now reached “astronomical proportions.”
Mr Jennings also revealed shop owners had been left disappointed with the Garda response to the issue.
Some claim they had been asked by gardaí why they did not have their own security staff, and were told if they had complaints to “take it up with the politicians or with Drew Harris.”
“We want it to be acknowledged at long last that shoplifting is not a victimless crime,” he concluded.
Also speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Maurice Quinlivan said: "Shoplifting sounds like an innocuous word but it is not a victimless crime.
“Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour from customers has an impact on retail staff as they are being verbally abused, threatened and intimidated while at work.”
“The recent events in Dublin city centre shocked the nation and we look forward to hearing from representatives what measures can be taken to ensure retailers, staff and customers are kept safe.”
The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 9:30am and 12:30pm.
You can watch it live here.