To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle (a) shoplifting, (b) retail crime and (c) crime and violence against shop workers in Beckenham and Penge constituency.
Answered on
22 January 2025
In the last year of the previous government shoplifting soared to a twenty-year high, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe on the job.
This Government will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods under £200. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.
We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide law enforcement with over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.
I remain committed to regular engagement with both the retail sector and policing through the Retail Crime Forum, to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement, which had its inaugural meeting at the end of 2024.