Businesses call for review of Fixed Penalty Notices

Published on 28 Jan 2008

Trade associations are calling for an urgent review of the Fixed Penalty Notice (FNP) system after Ministry of Justice figures revealed that less than half of such fines are paid, reports trade magazine Convenience Store.

The National Retail Crime Steering Group, established in July 2007, will also continue to push for persistent shoplifters to receive jail-terms.

According to the British Retail Consortium annual crime survey, shoplifting is at a ten year high while violence against shopworkers has also risen.

Vernon Coaker, under secretary of state for crime, commented:

"We recognise the concerns that retailers have and we are working closely with them to tackle the problem. We have established a National Retail Crime Steering Group to understand the problem and have also commissioned a 'designing out crime' audit tool that stores can use to cut down the risk of crime. This will be available for general use this year.
"The abuse of shopworkers should never be accepted as an occupational hazard. We are committed to ensuring that every community has a neighbourhood policing team by April 2008. These teams are uniquely able to engage with local people and involve them in agreeing local policing priorities.
"I'm also keen to see a shift towards the local delivery of local priorities in response to local need. This can only be achieved in partnership with community safety service providers and communities themselves, including local businesses."