Shoplifting 'epidemic' costs millions

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Iceland founder Malcolm Walker says the thieves have become increasingly sophisticated and ever more willing to use violence.

They are also more aware of their rights when they are detained in stores, often telling police they have been assaulted in an attempt to get shop managers to drop charges.

"We are plagued with a tidal wave," Walker tells Retail Week. "50% of the time it turns violent. Our store managers are physically attacked, spat at, assaulted. It's out of control."

His claims come days after two security guards at Nike Town in Oxford Circus were stabbed after chasing a suspected shoplifters.

Retailers say police don't have targets for reducing business crime and often regard shoplifting as not worth pursuing.

Walker revealed one of his store managers from a London branch of Iceland is facing prosecution after detaining a shoplifter.