The government has handed police a set of “long overdue” powers to crack down on soaring levels of violent shoplifting, which has been branded a “national scandal.” The Crime and Policing Bill received royal assent on Wednesday, making assault against retail workers a specific offence and scrapping the effective immunity for shoplifting offences under £200.
Industry Response
Retail industry bodies have long campaigned for these powers, arguing that violent shoplifting endangers staff. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) called the new powers a “long-overdue turning point in the fight against retail crime.” Official figures show over 500,000 shoplifting offences were recorded last year, with the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) reporting that 67% of offenders reoffend within a year, up from 55% before the pandemic.
The BRC estimates 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers occur daily, with up to 5.5 million thefts each year. Political pressure intensified after recent mob attacks on shops in Clapham.
M&S Calls for Action
Marks & Spencer’s retail director, Thinus Keeve, described the crime as “brazen, organised, aggressive” and called for a coordinated response. Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: “Stronger laws on assault and theft will send a clear warning, but laws alone won’t keep retail workers safe. Consistent, visible police enforcement is crucial.”
Underreporting Concerns
The Retail Trust welcomed the new powers but stressed they will “only work” if workers feel empowered to report crimes. One in four retail workers do not report abuse, often due to unhelpful employer responses. Chris Brook-Carter, the charity’s director, said: “Abuse and crime have a devastating impact on shop workers’ lives. They need to see incidents taken seriously and receive support.”
The Federation of Independent Retailers praised the removal of the “ridiculous” £200 threshold. President Hetal Patel noted: “For too long, a lack of police presence has given thieves carte blanche to act unpunished.”
