Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pledge tougher action on shop theft today, declaring that the government is “calling time on the free-for-all” on retail crime.
In a speech to come later today, Starmer will hit out at “disgraceful” attempts to “cheat the system” through shoplifting, as he sets out measures aimed at protecting retail staff and tackling repeat offenders on Britain’s high streets.
The Prime Minister is expected to point to the government’s decision to end the effective immunity for shoplifters stealing goods worth less than £200, describing it as a “shoplifters’ charter”.
He is expected to say: “Working people – grafters – go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving and yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people who think they can get away with it and just cheat the system. It’s disgraceful.”
Starmer will also highlight government plans to make assaulting a retail worker a standalone offence through the Crime and Policing Bill, giving shop staff similar protections to emergency workers.
“We’ve toughened up punishment too,” he is expected to say. “We’re giving police stronger powers, making the abuse and assault of retail workers a specific crime and giving you the same protections as emergency workers.”
The government has also said it has put an extra 3,000 neighbourhood police officers on the streets and invested £5m in Opal, a specialist policing intelligence unit designed to identify harmful offenders and disrupt organised shoplifting gangs.
Co-op, which has been one of the most vocal retailers campaigning for stronger protection for shopworkers, welcomed the continued focus on retail crime.
Co-op director of campaigns, public affairs and policy Paul Gerrard said: “We welcome the continued Government focus on this issue, as we know the tide of criminality can be turned and have seen first-hand crime levels reducing in the Co-op by more than 20 per cent in 2025.
“Co-op has been the lead retail campaigner on this issue, but there is still work to do as we continue to invest significantly in wide-ranging safety and security measures, alongside successful partnerships with local police forces to target the prolific and repeat offenders.
“Local stores are an anchor in communities, and we all must continue to do all we can to protect them and those that work in them.”
Co-op said overall retail crime levels across its estate fell 21 per cent during 2025, with physical attacks down around a third year on year. Anti-social behaviour and abuse at the retailer fell 36 per cent, with the trend continuing into 2026.
The latest ONS data, released in April 2026, showed shoplifting offences fell 1 per cent in the year to December.
However, retail crime remains a major concern for the sector. Usdaw’s latest annual survey found almost 80 per cent of shop workers had experienced verbal abuse, more than half had been threatened by a customer and 10 per cent had been assaulted.
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the Crime and Policing Bill would deliver “much-needed protection of retail workers’ law”.
“While there has been a welcome small decrease in shoplifting across last year, the fact is retail crime continues to be a significant issue for the sector and particularly staff,” she said.
“Usdaw’s last survey found that this is in no way a victimless crime, with two-thirds of attacks on retail staff being triggered by theft or armed robbery.
“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.”
The government’s Crime and Policing Bill is expected to complete its final stages in Parliament soon, although the two Houses are still understood to be in discussions over the final draft as the end of the parliamentary session approaches.
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