Usdaw urges MPs to back ‘community policing guarantee’ to tackle retail crime

The plans are outlined in an opposition motion to be debated in the House of Commons this week.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “This government has repeatedly failed to act in the face of an epidemic of retail crime and rising theft from shops.

“The plan put forward by Labour, which builds on the commitments set out by the shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and has widespread support across the retail industry, would make a real difference on the shop floor for our members. It is time for this government to end their opposition, do the right thing and help our members secure the protection they deserve.

“It was deeply disappointing that there were no measures announced in the King’s Speech to tackle high levels of theft from shops and abuse of shopworkers.

“Labour has promised to plug the gap in the government’s legislative programme by seeking to amend the government’s Criminal Justice Bill to strengthen the law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse.

“A protection of shopworkers law, which already exists in Scotland, would be a great start to tackling abuse of retail staff.

“We also welcome Labour’s other commitments to 13,000 more neighbourhood police with guaranteed patrols in town centres, respect orders to ban repeat offenders and ending the £200 threshold for investigating and prosecuting shop theft.”