Bira's "High Street Matters" Kicks Off with Retail Crime Episode

The premiere Podcast of "High Street Matters" tackles the escalating retail crime crisis plaguing Britain's high streets.

Hosted by journalist Steve Dyson, this hard-hitting first installment lays bare the shocking realities independent retailers are facing within the UK.

Listeners can hear the startling statistics from Bira's 2024 Crime Survey, revealing 35.5% of shopkeepers experienced verbal abuse - with a concerning 66% not reporting it to police. The data gets worse, with 7.95% subjected to physical violence like threats with weapons, and 70% chose not to alert authorities.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre unpacks these staggering figures and why resolute action must be taken to protect retailers and their staff. A Cambridgeshire trader also shares his first-hand account of brazen thefts targeting his DIY shop, including posting images of culprits online in a bid to identify them.

The episode explores potential solutions too. Liam Ardern from FaceWatch offers insights into facial recognition technology that could help deter criminals and aid prosecutions when incidents do occur.

Whether you're a shopkeeper who has been a victim of abuse, threats or criminal behavior or want to get ahead of the issue, this is a must-listen episode. It exposes the extent of the crime wave impacting independents and provides guidance on reporting, prevention tactics and emerging tech that could turn the tide.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
For more information about Facewatch, visit the Bira website