Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Retailers welcome new Crime and Policing Bill amid rising theft and violence

Retailers Welcome Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill to Combat Retail Crime
Police officers in Trafalgar Square, London
Photo: iStock
Leading retailers have expressed relief and support for Labour’s proposed Crime and Policing Bill, which aims to combat the surge in shop theft and protect retail workers.

The legislation will introduce a standalone offence for abuse or violence towards retail staff and eliminate the £200 prosecution threshold for shoplifters—a long-standing demand from for businesses.

Interim figures from Usdaw’s latest annual survey of over 4,000 retail staff showed that seven in 10 respondents said that incidents of violence, threats and abuse they’d experienced were triggered by theft or armed robbery.


Similar picture is presented by British Retail Consortium’s latest annual crime report which shows that retail violence and abuse increased over 50 per cent to more than 2,000 incidents a day in 2024, losses from customer theft reached a record £2.2 billion in 2023-24 and record crime levels were reached despite retailers spending £1.8 billion on prevention.

Katie Secretan, Retail and Sales Director at Nisa, described the Bill as a “hard-fought victory for retail workers’ safety and respect.”

"It has been shocking to witness the rising levels of abuse, threats, and violence that independent retailers and their teams endure simply for doing their jobs.

"This legislation is a vital step in recognising the seriousness of these crimes and ensuring a stronger police response to protect those on the frontline," Secretan said.

However, Secretan stressed the need for fair and consistent enforcement across all retail sectors, warning that independent stores must not be overlooked.

“Too often, independent retailers struggle with a lack of police response and support, despite being at the heart of their communities. Thanks to tireless campaigning—led by our Co-op—progress is being made. But there is still more to do, from preventing reoffending to supporting shop workers in every way possible.”

Welcoming the Bill’s introduction to Parliament, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, emphasized the urgency of addressing retail crime.

“With our latest survey showing retail crime spiraling out of control, urgent action is needed to protect our retail colleagues from harm and tackle the surge in theft," she said.

Dickinson highlighted that making violence against retail staff a standalone offence will increase visibility, allowing police to allocate resources appropriately and deter offenders.

However, she warned that protection must extend beyond shop workers to include delivery drivers, who also face threats, physical violence, and even attacks with weapons.

“Retailers are now equipping their drivers with personal safety devices and DNA spit-testing kits. As the Bill progresses through Parliament, we hope these concerns will be addressed," Dickinson said.

Retail trade union Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis welcomed the Bill, calling it a long-overdue response to retail crime.

“Retail workers enforce age-restricted sales laws and deserve additional legal protection. We are pleased the Government has listened and is introducing these vital measures.”

Usdaw is particularly encouraged by provisions of abolishing of the £200 prosecution threshold, increase in funding for uniformed police patrols in shopping areas and introduction of ‘Respect Orders’ for offenders, designed to curb repeat offences.

Lillis stressed that retail crime is not a victimless act and it jeopardises store viability, community safety, and staff well-being.

“Retail crime has become an epidemic. Stores are being targeted by organised crime gangs, with weapons and violence used to intimidate staff. The impact extends beyond theft itself—employees face anxiety, fear, and even physical harm.

“The Crime and Policing Bill presents a real opportunity to improve retail workers’ lives, strengthen store security, and restore safety in communities," Lillis added.

More for you

Unilever Sells The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera

Unilever announces the sale of The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera

Photo: iStock

Unilever to sell The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera

Unilever has agreed to sell its The Vegetarian Butcher range to JBS-owned Vivera as part of its strategy to offload non-core brands.

The consumer goods giant acquired the plant-based food brand in 2018 from founder Jaap Korteweg. It has since delivered double-digit growth and expanded to more than 55 markets worldwide, both in retail and foodservice.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Lottery retailer displaying £166m EuroMillions poster for March 21, 2025 jackpot draw

National Lottery retailers: it's a bumper jackpot weekend – Allwyn

National Lottery operator Allwyn is urging retailers to make the most of two mammoth footfall and sales-driving opportunities today and tomorrow.

Tonight (21 March) EuroMillions players have the chance to win an extraordinary estimated £166m jackpot. This life-changing sum could propel one lucky winner straight onto the list of The National Lottery’s biggest wins.

Keep ReadingShow less
Volumatic team demonstrating CounterCache intelligent (CCi) cash handling solution at Retail Technology Show 2025, Stand J28

Volumatic returns to Retail Technology Show next month

This spring, one of the UK’s premier retail industry events, the Retail Technology Show, returns - this time at ExCeL London. Volumatic is preparing to meet with retailers and industry professionals to showcase its market-leading cash handling solutions, demonstrating how its technology can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve security in cash operations.

The Retail Technology Show is a key event for the retail and hospitality sectors, taking place from 2nd-3rd April 2025. Visitors can find Volumatic at stand J28, where the team will demonstrate its intelligent cash handling solutions designed to streamline cash processes, eliminate errors, securely store cash, detect counterfeit banknotes, and enhance overall efficiency—freeing up valuable time for customer service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish convenience store displaying locally sourced products

Local Scottish products

Successful SGF Go Local Programme wins ScotGov approval for another year

Following the outstanding success of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s Go Local Programme, launched in December 2020, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon has approved the roll-out of the next phase of the project, extended until the end of May 2026.

A report on the benefits of the project was published earlier in the year, highlighting a remarkable increase in Scottish products being sold over the counter in participating stores. Taking part in the programme results in an average growth in sales of goods sourced from local producers of 44 per cent. The report also provides evidence of a significant multiplier impact and boost for the local economy, with expected increases of around £169k per store per annum.

Keep ReadingShow less