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9 Jul 2025

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

8 Jul 2025

More than 30 locations across Scotland have seen a major rise in the number of people cycling, according to newly released data.

7 Jul 2025

Sixteen illegally upgraded e-bikes capable of speeds up to 40mph have been seized and disposed of in a joint enforcement operation in Birmingham city centre.

7 Jul 2025

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

4 Jul 2025

New data from Strava reveals a major surge in cycling across the UK, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.

3 Jul 2025

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

2 Jul 2025

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

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ACS 2021 Crime Report now available

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

IRC member ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has now launched their Crime Report 2021 which is available here. The report found that retail crime has a huge economic impact on local shops, costing £142 million, but also a direct impact on people working in shops from violence and verbal abuse.

The report estimates there were over 40,000 incidents of violence and threats in the sector in the last year. 89% of store colleagues experienced verbal abuse; there were over 1.2million incidents with retailers estimating that 21% of these were hate motivated.

The sector has seen over 1.1million incidents of theft in the last year. Retailers attribute 63% of shop thefts to repeat offenders, with the majority of these motivated by a drug or alcohol addiction. Encountering shop thieves is now followed by customers not following covid guidelines and enforcing age-restrictions as top trigger for violence; duties that shopworkers are required by law to enforce.

The report highlights the significant investments convenience retailers are making to protect their colleagues and customers, spending on average, £3,724 per store on CCTV, security staff and other features to reduce crime and prevent violence.

ACS will use the report to communicate the need for action on retail crime with government officials and parliamentarians, as they continue to call for tougher penalties for assaults on retail workers. The Crime Report also provides evidence for much needed action from Police and Crime Commissioners to prioritise retail crime in their Police and Crime Plans, providing a better response at local level.

Alongside the Crime Report, ACS have also published their Crime Guidance 2021. The guidance includes advice for retailers on how to report violent crime, managing workplace safety, scams and fraud, and information on the ShopKind campaign. The Crime Guidance is available here.

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