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Starmer vows to get tough on retail crime

Starmer vows to get tough on retail crime
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks on day three of the Trades Union Congress on September 10, 2024 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)

Labour would “go further” to crack down on rising retail crime and shopworker abuse, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the Trade Unions Conference on Tuesday (10).

Addressing the delegates at annual Trades Union Congress in Brighton, Starmer expressed concern to the rising retail crime levels in the country.


Responding to a question from Usdaw on abuse of shop workers, Starmer siad, "On the question of offences against retail workers, this truly is shocking. Usdaw has a very important campaign on this, and [General Secretary] Paddy Lillis raises it with me pretty well every time we meet - and rightly so. It is not acceptable, and it can’t be acceptable in any circumstances. It is demoralising for the workforce, and that’s why I’m pleased we can introduce an offence to deal with it.

“But we have to go further than that. We can’t have the situation where shoplifters can walk in, shoplift and walk back out again and nobody can do anything about it. We’re going to change that, work with you. We have to take it seriously. I’m not wanting to hear again from those on the front line about the appalling attacks and insults that they are subjected to.

“It’s everywhere across the country; it is really hard for the workforce to take. You have rightly championed it as a cause. We join in that cause and we will do something about it, working with trade unions on such an important issue.”

Usdaw President Jane Jones asked, “I work in retail and increasing levels of violence, threats and abuse are a massive concern for me and my colleagues. Labour's welcome commitment to introduce a specific offence of assaulting a retail worker will send out a clear message that this Government takes retail crime seriously."

Speaking after the speech in the Brighton Centre, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary said, “Keir’s address was an honest account of where our broken economy stands, after it was trashed by the Conservatives. He laid bare the hard work and tough choices that will have to be taken as we head towards the light at the end of the tunnel, to deliver new hope for the country."

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Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

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“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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