Newsagents under attack

(First Edition)

FOUR out of five newsagents have suffered violence, theft and racial harassment in the last two years, a retail trade survey shows, writes John Arlidge.

The study, by CTN, the trade magazine, which questioned 200 newsagents, found that a large number of them have been victims of ram-raiding. The highest crime rates were reported in Northern Ireland and the North-west, with up to 93 per cent of shops hit.

Peter Seaman, president of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, said: 'People just walk straight to where they know the goods are and walk out with them.'

Another study published last week for the Police Foundation, an independent research organisation, found 'frighteningly high' levels of violent crime against corner shops.- Surveying the Damage, is available from CTN, 19 Scarbrook Road, Croydon CR9 1QH; 90p.