Co-op counts the cost of 1,000 daily thefts and staff assaults

THE Co-op says it has suffered its worst year for theft, abuse and violence against staff as incidents soared by 44% to around 1,000 a day at its stores - costing it some £70million.

- Geoff Ho

Chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq pleaded with the Government and police to take retail crime seriously.

Speaking at the mutual conglomerate's annual results, she said every day on average four employees some wearing bodycams were attacked, while its stores are plagued by "persistent, prolific" thieves.

To make matters worse, the Co-op says that in 80% of cases where its own security personnel have detained suspected thieves and people who have abused or been violent towards its workers, the police do not turn up to arrest them.