Shoplifting, banning orders and begging prohibited
The Dublin City Task Force Report was published last month, which outlines a core aim to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre. Former Garda inspector Tony Gallagher discusses the report and the rising concern of begging to retailers
Print18 November 2024
The ShelfLife ‘Stop Crime Against Retailers’ (SCAR) conference was held on the 23 of October 2024 in Fallen and Byrne. A survey result in advance of the conference indicated that 100% of retailers had experienced criminal activity at their businesses, a shocking and stark reality.
The National Statistics Office UK reveals that retail crime of shoplifting recorded by police in England and Wales has hit its highest level in twenty years. The Home Secretary has stated that the Crime & Policing Bill UK will bring in stronger powers to deal with the epidemic, one of such powers being considered is the banning of repeat offenders from town centers.
For example, I was contacted by a Dublin City Center retail manager recently. He advised me that Mr. X is back. Mr. X is a very prolific shoplifter in the City Centre. He had been released from prison after receiving a sentence for multiple shoplifting incidents. If a banning order was in place when he was convicted, he could now be arrested if he returned to the area. I would suggest that we need this legislation to deal with prolific shoplifters.
It is evident that most retailers know their prolific shoplifters. The National Garda “Operation Táirge” initiative whose primary aim is reducing organised retail crime could now be implemented as a local Garda initiative in every Garda District, for example, there is a core group of shoplifters operating on both sides of the Liffey in Dublin City, these offenders should be profiled and targeted, if there is engagement, the retailers in most instances will be able to identify and / or name the offenders to the Gardai. In Dublin suburbs and indeed throughout the country it is the same, offenders are known to the stores, the same profile building needs to happen, the focus must be on the most prolific offenders.
Begging
Retailers want to make it abundantly clear that they object to begging outside their premises.
A retail chain will be displaying a ‘Begging Prohibited Notice’ at their shop entrances, the retailers will be calling on the Gardaí to enforce the legislation. The notice will be on a pilot trial in key areas of Dublin where there is a proliferation of begging, all retailers should take this approach.
Begging is a scourge and a source of significant concern to retailers; it contributes to a negative perception of safety. There is an undercurrent to begging outside businesses that the normal shopper may not see, it is the retailers experience that most beggars who beg outside their premises also shoplift, they threaten shop staff, and their presence deters shoppers from entering stores. In addition, there are hygiene issue as beggars impose themselves at the hot drink’s counters, take cardboard cups, break open eco briquette packs at service stations to make a seat and these packs of briquettes then must be discarded as they are not in a saleable condition.
They keep returning to businesses because people give them money, next time think of the retail staff who must endure their behaviour.
Dublin City Task Force Report
The Dublin City Task Force Report was published last month, a core aim is to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre. The report has ten ‘Big moves’ that they recommend should be addressed.
Gallagher views on the following two suggestions from the The Dublin City Task Force Report
- ‘Develop and enact new bye laws to regulate on street charitable services’
Services are dispensed at the GPO O’Connell St, Chatham St (just off Grafton St) and College Green. The service is well intentioned, but the service should be brought to an indoor location away from the city centre, the lines of people has been increasing and many of them remain in the city and beg in the immediate locality of the service, this adds to an apprehension amongst the public.
- ‘Ensure emergency accommodation and processing facilities are more equitably spread across Greater Dublin’
Currently there is an over intensification of hostels in and around Dublin City Centre, if there is no change in this policy the entire Dublin Task Force Report will fail. There are many inhabitants of the hostels who have addiction issues, so the risk profile is already in the city. On Friday the 1 of November I was in the city centre when I walked by two side by side hostels close to the Garden of Remembrance, several addicts were standing outside engaged in drug activity. The intensification of city centre hostels has placed a challenging burden on the Gardai who are already very resource stretched.
Significant issue
Begging is not mentioned in the report, but it is a significant issue, it is not right that beggars encroach on the areas where people are enjoying al-fresco dining or are enjoying their drinks. Diners should feel comfortable in the city.
It is noted at point eight in the report “offers Dubliners compelling reasons to visit the city centre” – it can also be stated offer anyone including tourists a compelling reason to visit the city.
The Task Force Report is a great start, now make it an absolute priority to establish a separate team to drive the implementation of the Task Force Report and make Dublin an attractive city.
Read more: Repetitive shoplifting is not a minor crime
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