Violence against Shop Workers 2024-04-15
2024-04-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a recent publication of the retail crime action plan by the police, and concerns about repeated targeting of small shopkeepers.
What steps his Department is taking to help tackle violence against shop workers. Last week I met a shopkeeper in Hounslow who has been repeatedly targeted by shoplifters. The family cannot afford security guards or lose stock unlike big chains. It's welcome the Government backed Labour's 10-year campaign for a stand-alone offence of assault, but will the Minister scrap the unfair £200 minimum?
Shoplifting is still a criminal offence, irrespective of value. The Government have put in place funding to put more police officers on the street, and neighbourhood policing numbers are up. We committed to pursuing all reasonable lines of inquiry and put in place a specific criminal offence of assault against retail workers.
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Assessment & feedback
£200 minimum threshold for sentencing guidelines
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over the Mayor of London's failure to ensure effective policing on high streets.
Does my right hon. Friend agree we need a new Mayor for London, Susan Hall, to ensure more effective policing on our high streets?
The Mayor of London has been a massive disappointment regarding the policing of London. The Met is the only police force in the country to see its numbers reduce and fail to meet recruitment targets.
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Assessment & feedback
Need for new Mayor for effective high street policing
Blames Mayor Of London
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the operational implementation and monitoring of measures to tackle retail crime.
When will the announcements be operationalised, and what is the monitoring process so that we can all judge whether they are not just words but action?
The changes will be put through as amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill. We have conversations with police forces to ensure visible policing on high streets and a response to reasonable lines of inquiry.
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Assessment & feedback
Operational timing, specific monitoring details
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Welcoming the package announced to support retail workers and concern about its implementation.
Will my right hon. Friend implement the measures as quickly as possible to benefit retail workers across Stockton South and the rest of the country?
My hon. Friend has campaigned vigorously on this issue, met me several times, and worked closely with the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure policing and criminal responses deter those who may assault retail workers.
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Assessment & feedback
Implementation timing
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over the pattern of voting down attempts to address retail violence and a demand for additional measures.
When will the Government follow up by stealing other ideas they keep denying: restoration of neighbourhood policing, which was down between 2015 and 2023; getting rid of the £200 limit?
The Government will address the issue with a clause in the Criminal Justice Bill. There has been a 6,000 uplift on local policing.
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Assessment & feedback
Restoration of neighbourhood policing and removal of £200 limit
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about repeated targeting of small shopkeepers who cannot afford security.
What steps his Department is taking to help tackle violence against shop workers. The family cannot afford security guards or lose stock unlike big chains.
The Government have put in place funding to put more police officers on the street and neighbourhood policing numbers are up. We committed to pursuing all reasonable lines of inquiry.
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Assessment & feedback
Funding for security guards
Response accuracy