Keir Starmer calls time on shoplifting 'free for all' in retail crime crackdown

Keir Starmer will say he's calling time on the shoplifting “free-for-all” as he presses ahead with a crackdown on retail crime. The Prime Minister will use a speech on Monday to tout Labour's efforts to boost neighbourhood police numbers and ramp up punishments for shoplifters, as well as plans to make attacks on shop workers a specific criminal offence. Nearly 80% of shop workers reported experiencing verbal abuse last year, while more than half said they were threatened by a customer and 10% said they were assaulted, according to a survey by retail trade union Usdaw. Mr Starmer is expected to say: “Working people – grafters – go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving and yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people who think they can get away with it and just cheat the system. It’s disgraceful.” He will say the Government has ended a “shoplifters charter” which granted effective immunity for thieves stealing goods worth less than £200. A standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker is included in the Crime and Policing Bill, which ministers are seeking to push through before Parliament rises next week. The PM will say: “I’m not blind to how big a challenge this is. But the number of people charged has gone up by 17% in the latest stats. "Shop theft is down – only slightly – but the tide could be turning. We are taking action. We are calling time on the free‑for‑all, standing firm, together, against the disgraceful crime of shop theft.” Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said retail workers needed protection. She said: "Retail crime remains at very high levels, as demonstrated by the latest police recorded crime statistics. While there has been a welcome small decrease in shoplifting across last year, the fact is retail crime continues to be a significant issue for the sector and particularly staff. “Usdaw’s last survey found that this is in no way a victimless crime, with two-thirds of attacks on retail staff being triggered by theft or armed robbery. Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.”