Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Shop Workers

Monday 15 April 2024 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has put in place funding to increase police numbers on the street
  • Neighbourhood policing numbers have increased by 6,000
  • Government will introduce a clause in the Criminal Justice Bill to address the issue

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question follows a recent publication of the retail crime action plan by the police, and concerns about repeated targeting of small shopkeepers.

Question

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?

Answer from James Cleverly

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: £200 minimum threshold for sentencing guidelines

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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Policing & Resources
Context

Concern over the Mayor of London's failure to ensure effective policing on high streets.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree we need a new Mayor for London, Susan Hall, to ensure more effective policing on our high streets?

Answer from James Cleverly

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.

Not addressed: Need for new Mayor for effective high street policing

How: Blames Mayor Of London

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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concern about the operational implementation and monitoring of measures to tackle retail crime.

Question

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?

Answer from James Cleverly

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Operational timing, specific monitoring details

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Q4 Steve McCabe Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Employment
Context

Welcoming the package announced to support retail workers and concern about its implementation.

Question

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?

Answer from James Cleverly

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Implementation timing

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Q5 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concern over the pattern of voting down attempts to address retail violence and a demand for additional measures.

Question

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?

Answer from James Cleverly

The Government will address the issue with a clause in the Criminal Justice Bill. There has been a 6,000 uplift on local policing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Restoration of neighbourhood policing and removal of £200 limit

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Q6 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concern about repeated targeting of small shopkeepers who cannot afford security.

Question

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.

Answer from James Cleverly

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Funding for security guards

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