Michael Donald’s Post

It's not my usual area but I read this story and couldn't make sense of it. "Zombie knives" will become illegal on the 24th of September. These are machete-shaped knives with spikes, designed solely for intimidation and killing. In the run-up to the ban, the government have introduced a "surrender and compensation" scheme offering £10 for each zombie knife handed in. This strategy is to get as many of these weapons off the street as possible. Two companies have just handed over 36,200 knives and will receive £362,000 in return. One of these companies, DNA Leisure, was in the press recently for supplying a 17-year-old with 69 knives, ultimately leading to the murder of Omar Khan. Before the scheme was announced, DNA Leisure was trying to offload the knives as part of a “massive stock clearance”, with some on discount. Seems so wrong that after arming gangs for 20 years, these companies can cash in and make a profit. Kier Starmer launched a new coalition to tackle knife crime 3 days ago. Hopefully, future measures will punish, rather than reward, companies facilitating violence. BBC: https://lnkd.in/eQMkjnQK

# Safety Solutions Training: Urgent Call for Comprehensive Action on Knife Crime Recent news about a knife wholesaler surrendering over 35,000 "zombie" blades highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in tackling knife crime. As experts in county lines, gangs, drugs, and knife crime safeguarding, Safety Solutions Training believes this development underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive action. Key points of concern: 1. The sheer volume of dangerous weapons in circulation: 35,000+ knives from a single wholesaler is alarming. 2. Design of these knives: Described by police as having "no other use" than as weapons, designed to "kill and maim." 3. Ongoing exploitation of legal loopholes: Despite a 2016 ban, new definitions are only now being implemented to outlaw more blades. 4. Online sales to minors: A 16-year-old was able to purchase 79 knives in 13 transactions, highlighting inadequate age verification processes. 5. Tragic consequences: These weapons have been linked to several killings, including that of 14-year-old Gordon Gault. While we commend the surrender scheme and upcoming broader ban (effective September 24, 2024), we believe more must be done: 1. Stricter regulation of online sales with robust age verification. 2. Enhanced education programs in schools and communities about the dangers of knife carrying. 3. Increased support for at-risk youth to address root causes of knife crime. 4. Collaboration between law enforcement, educators, and community organisations for a holistic approach. Safety Solutions Training remains committed to providing cutting-edge training on these critical issues. We call upon policymakers, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and community leaders to work together on more robust strategies to protect young people and create safer communities. Let's not wait for more tragedies. The time for decisive action is now. #KnifeCrimePrevention #YouthSafety #CommunityAction #SafeguardingTraining

We read many posts on LI about the impact of retail crime, but this post drives to the reality of the issue. Independent retailers, personally invested in their businesses, open early until late, serving communities and dealing with the daily reality of retail crime and workplace violence. LP equity is real and now is the time for retailers and technology providers to provide this sector with scalable and practical solutions. There is definitely nothing 'lowly' about our shopkeepers, independent retailers or Vince Malone!

Wholesale Will and Trust Prep! If you are looking for a less expensive way to get your Wills, Trusts and POAs done, this may be a good solution for you. #savemoney #wholesaleestateplanning #estateplanning #wills #trusts #expensive #simple #cheap #wholesale #estateplanning #attorney #lawyer #probate https://lnkd.in/e8qpd_R7

Shoplifting is at "unacceptable" levels and not being tackled properly, a Lords inquiry has found. https://lnkd.in/eFNcXP8i This is a really good article that outlines just how much of a problem retail crime has become and proposes a series of feasible and worthwhile solutions that will make a difference to retailers and those who work in retail places.  The report recommended that the Government: Phases out the use of the outdated term "shoplifting" which serves to trivialise the severity of the offense. Develops improved reporting systems to enable retailers to report crime to the police quickly and easily Increases funding to community-based reoffending and rehabilitation initiatives Introduces regulations to make it more difficult to sell stolen goods on online marketplaces anonymously Introduces regulations and best practice guidance for the use of facial recognition technology by private companies It's hard to believe that assaulting a shop worker is not already a specific criminal offense and it would be great to see this change quickly. Let's hope that the new Government can find parliamentary time to debate this report and has the will to carry out these recommendations, surely enough is enough now and we must reduce the risk that our teams face in doing their jobs daily and we can not continue to carry these losses as an industry in the current economic climate.

This highlights just how important it is to identify shoplifters and refuse them entry from your store. Consider this scenario: A recurrent perpetrator manages to steal goods worth over £1,000 in just two weeks. Though each incident may seem minor, the cumulative impact on your business, staff, and hard-earned efforts is substantial. Restocking and recuperating losses come at an additional cost. Thus, investing in detection and surveillance shouldn't solely focus on catching a £50 shoplifter. Instead, consider the broader financial implications, including recovery costs and the prevention of future losses by identifying such individuals. Doncaster shoplifter targeted store 19 times in two weeks https://lnkd.in/e-sHNqzn

A new set of laws taking effect in Queensland this September will bring about several restrictions on the sale of knives and similar products. #SmallBusinessLeaders #InsideSmallBusiness #business #smallbusinessowners #restrictions #sale #products

https://lnkd.in/eBNQxtvp And this is why the rogue retailers will keep on keeping on! The very low likelihood of a trading standards visit in many areas coupled with insiginifanct fines is not a deterrent. The ONLY way to make a difference now is for a truly brutal, fast paced multi-agency approach and targeted raids, huge stock seizures and immediate store closure. This should also serve as further warning that illicit products are in every town and are hugely profitable, they are not going to go quietly so when are you going to go in loud? The lack of pace is frightening, the lack of a real plan is alarming and the abundance of excuses are wearing thin! This is absolutely NOT an attack on TS, they are desperately under-resourced and deal with far more than just vape products. who is actually going to take the lead, pull together multiple agencies and tackle this issue and make a real difference NOW, not post election but NOW? This needs to be the question that every responsible adult needs to be asking, how the hell do we keep minors away from these products when the flood is being allowed to spread! Rishi Sunak Victoria Atkins Wes Streeting MP Chartered Trading Standards Institute Metropolitan Police Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency OVA Our Vape Advocacy

A story is making its way around social media regarding a California store owner who priced items at $951 as a shoplifting deterrent. This price meets the threshold criteria for charges of grand theft. A similar story made the rounds in 2021 and was debunked. Even if this post is also fake, its existence is indicative of the issues facing several chains. California has new legislation, Proposition 36, pending that is expected to pass. This legislation will bring with it harsher restrictions on theft, along with other measures to combat homelessness and drug usage. With California often being the trendsetter for legislation, this policy is likely to have larger impacts. More info here: https://lnkd.in/eXmWHSdz #Retail #LossPrevention #Legislation

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors welcomes today’s announcement that the Government will introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker in the Criminal Justice Bill. While this is a step in the right direction, we look forward to seeing the Government's definition of ‘retail worker’ and will work to ensure that colleagues working in the wholesale sector are included in the definition and protected by these new measures. Ahead of further details being finalised, we call on the Government to adopt an inclusive definition to protect those who face violence daily in our sector when simply doing their job. Crime in the wholesale sector is at an all-time high and we hope that this offence sends a clear message that violence against colleagues in our sector will be met with tough consequences.