‘Enough is enough’...shop staff attackers to face jail
THUGS who assault shop workers could be jailed for up to six months under Government plans.
Rishi Sunak said a new criminal offence of “assaulting a retail worker” would be created, warning criminals “enough is enough”.
The Home Office said any thief convicted of shoplifting three times will also be made to wear a tag, amid fears many steal with impunity.
Abuse
The Prime Minister added: “Shoplifting and violence and abuse towards retail workers continues to rise. I am sending a message to those criminals who think they can get away with stealing from or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.
“Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse.”
Yobs who attack a retail worker could be sent to prison, get an unlimited fine or be banned from going back to the shop where they committed their crimes, with Criminal Behaviour Orders barring them visiting specific premises.
Thieves could also be jailed if they ignore a ban from certain shops.
Police recorded 402,482 shoplifting offences last year, the highest level in 20 years – up from 304,459 in the previous 12 months, said the Office for National Statistics.
Organised crime gangs are targeting shops near railway stations and major roads which have getaway routes.And supermarket bosses have warned that some stores are being targeted “every day, others several times a day”.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Victims are ordinary hardworking people – teenagers in their first job, carers looking for part-time work, parents working around childcare.”
The Home Office also confirmed plans to increase facial recognition technology to catch more criminals.
Mobile units will be deployed to detect known thieves, under a £4million plan.
Officials have said: “The mobile units will take footage of crowds in towns and high streets, comparing images to people wanted by the police or banned from that location.”
Paul Gerrard, of The Co-op Group, said: “The Co-op sees every day the violence and threats colleagues face.
“We very much welcome the Government’s announcement.”