Central Co-op report outlines impact of retail crime on shopworkers and retailers

Central Co-op, an advocate for community well-being and safety, has released a white paper addressing the alarming rise of retail crime in across its trading estate.

The report outlines the stark realities faced by shopworkers and retailers, calling for urgent legislative reform to protect frontline workers and communities.

Central Co-op saw a 59% increase in retail crime in 2023, prompting the Society to write 34 letters to MPs and host 10 Member of Parliament (MP) and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) visits at stores that had undergone an assault, including in Derby, Norwich, Peterborough, Nottingham, Leicester, Chesterfield and Birmingham.

The white paper highlights key statistics and insights, including the Co-operative Group’s latest 10-point plan to tackle retail crime and findings from the 2024 British Retail Consortium (BRC) report, which revealed a significant increase in incidents of violence, abuse and theft.

Despite these alarming trends, only a fraction of reported incidents result in prosecution, indicating a pressing need for effective intervention.

One of the central proposals outlined in the white paper is a crucial amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which seeks to criminalise assaults on shopworkers.

By enacting this measure, Central Co-op said Parliament can send a clear message that violence and organised crime within retail environments will not be tolerated.

Central Co-op urges MPs to support this vital amendment and calls on PCC candidates to pledge their commitment to tackling retail crime.

The white paper highlights the importance of collective action in creating safer and more resilient retail environments for all.

Sarah Dickins, chief people officer at Central Co-op, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues will always be paramount to us.

“No one should have to fear threats, violence or abuse, and the fact this is increasing across the retail industry in our society is unacceptable.

“We continue to invest in measures to keep our colleagues safe, whilst offering the best in-store experience we can for our Members and customers.

“We’re working with law enforcement as well as local MPs to campaign for change together by amending the Criminal Justice Bill and hope that together, as an industry, we can make this meaningful difference to all retail workers.”