Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Shop Theft

Monday 23 March 2026 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government to deploy 100 additional officers in West Yorkshire Police by March end.
  • Government investing 5 million in a specialist intelligence-led policing unit to combat retail crime.
  • Government introducing a specific offence to protect retail workers from assault.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Retail businesses in Keighley, such as Colin Appleyard Motorcycles, have faced severe losses due to ram raids involving significant thefts.

Question

Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley was recently the victim of a ram raid. Seven individuals stole nine off-road bikes worth approximately £80,000. Will the Minister tell me what the Government are doing to work with local police forces such as West Yorkshire police to identify and shut down these Mafia-style criminal gangs causing significant harm for businesses in Keighley?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The Government are focused on fighting crime, and 100 additional officers will be deployed by West Yorkshire Police by the end of March. The £5 million investment in a specialist intelligence-led policing unit will help identify and tackle serious organised criminals involved in retail crimes.

Answered
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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Retail businesses in Keighley, such as Colin Appleyard Motorcycles, have faced severe losses due to ram raids involving significant thefts.

Question

Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley was recently the victim of a ram raid. Seven individuals stole nine off-road bikes worth approximately £80,000. Will the Minister tell me what the Government are doing to work with local police forces such as West Yorkshire police to identify and shut down these Mafia-style criminal gangs causing significant harm for businesses in Keighley?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The Government are focused on fighting crime, and 100 additional officers will be deployed by West Yorkshire Police by the end of March. The £5 million investment in a specialist intelligence-led policing unit will help identify and tackle serious organised criminals involved in retail crimes.

Answered
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Q3 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Crime & Law Enforcement Employment
Context

Violence, abuse, and intimidation against retail workers has increased. This includes incidents such as spitting in people's faces.

Question

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers informed me of increased levels of violence, abuse, and intimidation towards retail workers including violent attacks and spitting. Will the hon. Friend say what measures the Government are taking to protect mainly lower-paid workers in the workplace?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We are introducing a specific offence of assault on retail workers and working closely with retailers to target repeat offenders. Charges for shop thefts, often accompanied by assaults, rose by 21% last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific measures requested for protecting lower-paid workers directly.

How: Working Closely With Retailers

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