Context
Staff at Tesco in Aldershot report rising levels of shoplifting with individuals walking out with full trolleys, feeling emboldened due to lack of consequences. Store staff feel threatened and powerless despite Hampshire police efforts.
Question
Staff at Tesco in Aldershot tell me that the store is facing rising levels of shoplifting, with people walking out of the store with full trolleys. It is often the same individuals, who are emboldened because they do not fear the consequences. Hampshire police are doing their best, but they cannot attend every incident, and store staff feel threatened and powerless. This is a nationwide problem. What steps is the Home Secretary taking to tackle the wave of retail crime and to protect shop workers on the frontline?
Answer from The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
It is totally unacceptable that shop theft and violence and abuse towards retail workers have continued to rise, particularly over the last two years of the previous Government, when they went up by 60%. We are asking retail workers to perform a significant act of public service as they enforce restrictions on the sale of items including cigarettes, alcohol and knives. As I have set out, the bespoke offence in the Crime and Policing Bill will help to shine a spotlight on the problem and ensure that we bring perpetrators to book. The Bill will also ensure that the sanction of a criminal behaviour order can be attached to a conviction for assaulting a retail worker, which will help to protect retail workers.
Not addressed: Specific steps for immediate enforcement against shoplifters and providing real-time support to store staff were not addressed.
Was this summary accurate? Tell us
How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)