SHOP YOBS FACING JAIL
» ‘Assaulting a retail worker’ is new offence » Labour says plan is rehash of its ideas
ASSAULTING a shop worker is to be made a specific offence as the Government tries to stem a flood of retail crimes – after years of blocking Labour’s efforts.
The maximum penalty – six months’ jail and/or an unlimited fine – is the same as for any common assault, but tweaks to the Criminal Justice Bill will allow other measures.
Criminal Behaviour Orders could ban abusive shoplifters from returning to the scene of the crime.
Breach of an order is already a criminal offence and carries a five-year maximum prison sentence.
Serial offenders who assault staff or are caught shoplifting three times could be made to wear electronic tags.
Facial recognition technology will also be extended. In a £55million plan, vans will patrol crowded areas to scan for wanted people.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 402,482 shoplifting offences in England and Wales in the 12 months to September 2023 – the first time it has exceeded 400,000 since records began in 2002. Prime Minister Rishi
Sunak insisted his plans to reduce crime were working but admitted shoplifting and violence towards retail workers both continue to rise.
He said: “I am sending a message to those criminals – serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves – who think they can get away with stealing.”
The British Retail Consortium has said a specific offence would make staff feel safer and ensure police allocate resources accordingly.
Chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “This announcement sends a clear message that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and it is vital the police use this new legislation to step up their response to incidents.” But Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the ideas were a pale imitation of Labour’s plans.
She said: “Labour has been calling for tougher action against those who assault shop workers for more than 10 years. The Tories opposed and voted against our plans.”
The Mirror is campaigning for action to fight the crime wave. Our campaign to Clamp Down on Shoplifting calls for police to investigate all incidents and a reversal of Tory laws that downgraded the theft of goods worth less than £200.
We are also calling for more PCSOs and action on both the cost of living crisis and mental health.
Labour is vowing to revitalise high streets by tackling anti-social behaviour, axing business rates and rolling out banking hubs.
In Tees Valley today, Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ms Cooper will unveil a plan to “reverse 14 years of Tory decline”.
Abuse will not be tolerated.. it’s vital police use this new legislation
HELEN DICKINSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH RETAIL CONSORTIUM
IMPRISONING the worst, most violent shoplifters for up to six months will only be a deterrent if the Home Office’s new law is implemented and imposed.
Designating assaulting a retail worker a specific offence, with unlimited fines added to the armoury of courts, will be welcomed by staff after 20% of those surveyed by the Usdaw union said they were attacked last year.
The surge in shoplifting by gangs and desperate people becoming thieves in a cost of living crisis is out of control. We note the Government isn’t reversing their law downgrading stealing of goods worth less than £200 to a minor offence not usually investigated.
Tougher sentences is a victory for the Daily Mirror’s campaign to protect store staff but we need a Government that will also be tough on the causes of shoplifting, particularly growing poverty and inequality.