Shopkeepers cry out for help as store thefts rise by 18%

ANGELA Constance has been accused of a "dereliction of duty" after failing to meet Scotland's retail leaders despite a huge rise in shop crime.

- David Walker

The Scottish Government's Justice Secretary has not met the Scottish Retail Consortium since taking on her role in 2023. The revelation comes at a time when shopkeepers are crying out for help due to increasing levels of theft and violence.

The Scottish Tories asked Ms Constance a written question which revealed that she hasn't met the SRC once and that Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has met the body just once, in March 2024.

Meanwhile, the latest crime figures for Scotland show that shoplifting has increased by 18% in the past year. Assaults against retail workers have also skyrocketed, with one in 10 being subjected to a violent attack in 2024.

Calls have been made for punishments to be toughened up, with Police Scotland launching a new crackdown last week.