Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the rise in shoplifting.

Under the previous Government, shop theft soared to record highs and it continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shop workers. We will not stand for this.

Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work and this Government is committed to tackling retail crime.

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

As set out in the Autumn Budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help police in tackling retail crime and supporting local businesses.