Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle retail crime in Gloucester.

In the last year of the previous government shoplifting soared to a twenty-year high, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this.

Everybody has a right to feel safe on the job and the Government is committed to tackling retail crime.

We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of and under £200. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will also provide law enforcement with over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.