Context
The MP notes that retail crime is affecting high street businesses, including daily verbal and physical abuse towards staff and significant losses from theft. The issue has been highlighted by the USDAW Freedom from Fear campaign.
Question
What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of retail crime on high street businesses. I have heard about daily levels of verbal and physical abuse staff face, as well as huge losses from theft. Will the Minister say more about what the Government are doing to stem that tide of lawlessness, particularly for independent retailers who may not be part of the Pegasus Project? How much is being lost to theft?
Answer from Nusrat Ghani
The Government recognise the impact of violent behaviour towards shop staff and launched a retail crime action plan and Project Pegasus. Overall crime is down by 54% since 1990, but shoplifting is up. The action plan prioritises police attendance at incidents involving violence or detention by security, improving evidence collection. A new offence with longer sentences has been created for violent acts against workers.
Not addressed: The amount of losses from theft was not specified.
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