By Grace Hanna
Theft from newsagents has become so prevalent Galway City that shop owners are notified multiple times a day via Whatsapp groups when theft occurs.
According to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Retail crime costs retailers over €1.62 billion each year.
Recorded incidents of theft are at their highest levels in five years and the North-Western Garda region saw a 6 per cent increase in theft related offences in the second quarter of 2024.
Paul O’Brien, owner of O’Briens newsagents, William Street
“People steal things from my shop multiple times a day,” said Paul O’ Brien, owner of O’Brien’s Newsagents on William Street.
O’Brien’s has been operating for two generations and according to Paul, he has seen “every trick in the book.”
“People now come in as groups to distract us, take something then run out,” he explained.
“I’ve cameras everywhere, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference.”
Paul also noted that although there are the repeat offenders, he is vigilant of people who appear to be well dressed.
“It’s ruthless and quite un-understandable.”
Changing attitudes
“Covid changed a lot of attitudes around theft,” said Brendan Holland, owner of Hollands newsagents which has been operating since 1930.
“People seem to be getting less conscientious and have less morals about stealing.”
“It’s small stuff, petty things, that people take like sweets, birthday cards and newspapers,” he said.
“We allow 2 to 3 per cent for theft every year alone, it’s just another cost in business we automatically take into account.”
Conscious of rising theft levels, Brendan said he has spent over ten thousand euro on security cameras for his shop.
Remaining vigilant
Michael Mc Greal, in Mc Greal’s newsagents and convenience store
“Being in retail for 36 years, I’ve seen it all in terms of theft,” said Michael Mc Greal who has been involved in three Galway shops since 1988.
“I have a motto my whole life, that if I see someone take something I can’t take my eye off them until I know they have the item in their pocket at the door.”
“Otherwise, we are in a defamation case straight away.”
Another retailer, who preferred not be named said, “If we see someone steal, we usually let them off because we are scared of being defamed.”
“The law appears to be on the side of the thief.”
Defamation payouts
Speaking to Galway Pulse, Vincent Jennings, CEO of the CSNA (Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association) said: “Newsagents are suffering with enormous and unheard of levels of shoplifting”.
“Now we find that students, academics and officer workers are all as likely as unemployed people to steal.”
“There’s no class element to theft, it crosses all boundaries.”
On the issue of defamation, Vincent said, “We are now seeing setups where people come into stores, pretend to steal something and wait for someone to challenge them.”
Vincent also explained that shop owners receive solicitors letters, suggesting the accused has suffered.
“The money is usually between three to five thousand euro, but if it goes to court, fees can go up to five or six figures easily.”
“People then just settle for fear of it going to court.”
According to Vincent, jail is not the answer to the vast majority of shop theft cases.
“I’m a firm believer, we should be should be looking at ASBO’s (antisocial behaviour orders) more closely.”
Disguised shoplifters
“There are two kinds of shop lifters, the opportunist and the persistent shop lifter,” said Sergeant Olivia Fleming, Galway’s Crime Prevention Officer.
Sergeant Fleming explained that opportunist shoplifters are usually people on lunch breaks who are in groups and are under peer pressure.
“The other cohort are professional shop lifters who target high value goods,” she said.
“They usually look well dressed to disguise themselves.”
“In newsagents, the goods probably aren’t all high value but if they are coming in every lunch time, five days a week it all adds up.”
Mitigating losses
According to Sergeant Fleming, there are a number of steps shop owners can take to mitigate their losses for theft.
“Placing the cash register area at the front of the store means customers must enter and exit the store by passing a member of staff.”
Sergeant Fleming also explained that stores that are kept neat and tidy allow staff to “see at glance if something is missing.”
“You can use mirrors to eliminate blind spots that hide shoplifters because that is where the items are commonly stolen.”
“Retail crime in city centres is always gong to be a bit higher because increased footfall but by putting in the deterrence, customer theft is reduced.”