The King’s Speech has unveiled the Labour government’s plans to introduce the Crime and Policing Bill , which will see assaulting a shopworker become a standalone crime in the UK, as is already the case in Scotland. The bill will also include stronger measures to tackle low level shoplifting and rebuild neighbourhood policing in communities.
In addition the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. Ministers will also legislate to restrict advertising of junk food to children, along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children.
Retail figureheads have deemed the inclusion of the Crime and Policing Bill in the King’s Speech as a major step forward in the fight against retail crime.
Paul Gerrard, Co-op Director of Campaign and Public Affairs, said: “Today’s news marks a seismic shift in the crackdown on retail crime, and will send a clear and powerful message to those who think it is acceptable to attack, assault or abuse shopworkers that, put quite simply, the law does not accept this behaviour and, it will now make it easier and much more straightforward for the authorities to investigate and prosecute – which means all shopworkers will be safer.
“We know it will make a difference, because in Scotland – where they have had the standalone offence since 2021 – we see 60% of incidents of violence and abuse towards shopworkers (that are reported to the police) resulting in arrest, while in England and Wales, without that standalone offence, the figure is just 10%.”
Nisa MD Peter Batt said: “It’s encouraging to see the introduction of a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers, especially after much campaigning from industry. However, it is crucial that independent retailers are included in these protections and are able to share in the additional police resourcing. The 2024 ACS Crime Report revealed 87% of colleagues in convenience stores, many of which are independently owned, faced verbal abuse, including around 76,000 violent incidents against retail staff. Independent shops play a vital role on our high streets and deserve the same protection and support. We must ensure that all retail workers, including those in independent stores, feel safe and protected. Let’s not leave them behind.”
Ben Selvaratnam, owner of Freshfields Market in Croydon, said: “As an Independent store owner, I’ve witnessed first-hand the significant rise in retail crime, which has become an almost daily challenge for us. We face between three to ten theft attempts daily, which not only strains our finances but also impacts the wellbeing of our staff and the overall community atmosphere. This legislation is a much-needed step in the right direction. The rise in assaults and abuse towards retail workers is alarming and unacceptable. For small, independent retailers such as myself, the lack of adequate protection and response from authorities has been a persistent issue. Implementing standalone laws to make assaulting retail workers a crime will hopefully serve as a strong deterrent and provide the necessary legal framework to ensure offenders are appropriately penalised.”
Paddy Lillis, general secretary of retail trade union Usdaw, said: “Usdaw has for many years campaigned for a standalone offence to tackle increasing violence and threats against shop workers. The issue has become increasingly problematic for our members and the retail industry in the face of an alarming 37% hike in shoplifting. After years of opposition from the last Tory Government and their MPs, we are delighted that today the new Labour Government has moved to tackle the issue.”
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We strongly welcome the Government’s commitment to take action on the assaults of retail workers, which local shops have been calling for over many years. We are also encouraged by the specific reference to tackling shoplifting, which is the blight of so many communities and funds the activity of gangs, addicts and dangerous criminals.
“There are a number of measures that retailers will have to change their stores and processes to accommodate, including those set out in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Employment Rights Bill and the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, as well as the plans to restrict the sale of energy drinks. It is essential that the Government works closely with the retail sector in this parliament to ensure that these measures can be introduced effectively, without the unintended consequence of delaying or reversing growth and investment by businesses.”
