U.K. Convenience Stores Report Increase in Violent Attacks

Robberies have increased 30 percent from last year.

May 07, 2010

LONDON, ENGLAND - Violent attacks in British convenience stores are on the rise, The Guardian reports.

The paper recounted a weekend robbery in Manchester where a gunman held a gun to the head of the 10-year old son of the store's clerk before escaping with a "small amount of cash," as one that is becoming more common in Britain.

According to the Association of Convenience Stores' 2009 crime survey, robberies increased 30% last year, up from 234 in 2008 to 397 in 2009, while burglaries increased 19%. The average burglary resulted in the theft of just over ?2,000, or $3,020.

The survey noted that the statistics reflect "further need for crimes against local shops to be addressed," while calling for sentencing for attacks on store clerks to be brought in line with that for attacks on police officers and nurses.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement