Crime and Policing Bill – Update on Retail Crime Reforms

In our December client alert, we outlined the Labour Government’s intention – announced in the King’s Speech – to introduce a new Crime and Policing Bill. This legislation, we noted, would include key reforms to address the growing issue of violence against retail workers and introduce a tougher stance on shoplifting.

Now that the Crime and Policing Bill has been formally introduced to Parliament, we provide an update below on its provisions and expected timeline for implementation. For those who missed our previous alert or would like a refresher, we have summarised the key aspects of the bill below.

Overview of the Crime and Policing Bill

The bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework for tackling retail crime and improving staff safety. Key provisions include:

• Standalone Offence for Assaulting Retail Workers: Creating a specific criminal offence for assaults against retail staff, making such incidents easier to prosecute and signalling the seriousness with which these offences will be treated.
• Abolition of the £200 “Low-Value Shoplifting” Rule: Removing the threshold that previously categorised shoplifting offences under £200 as summary-only offences. This change is expected to allow for more consistent enforcement and prosecution of serial and opportunistic theft.
• Wider Police Reform Measures: As part of the Bill, the government has committed to restoring neighbourhood policing, with plans to recruit 13,000 additional police officers and community support officers, including in retail-heavy areas.

These measures follow continued campaigning by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), the British Retail Consortium, Co-op, and the Association of Convenience Stores, all of whom have welcomed the introduction of the legislation.

What Does This Mean for Retailers?

• Clearer Legal Protections for Staff: Retailers will benefit from the deterrent effect of a new standalone offence, providing reassurance to frontline staff and reducing ambiguity in enforcement.
• Tighter Shoplifting Enforcement: The removal of the “low-value” classification may result in increased police engagement and prosecution of thefts under £200, reducing repeat offending and shrinkage.
• Stronger Community Policing: The Government’s commitment to reinvigorating neighbourhood policing could improve visibility and responsiveness in retail locations, helping to combat both theft and antisocial behaviour.

The Bill represents a meaningful shift in how retail crime is addressed and how retail workers are protected, which will be welcomed across the sector.

Legislative Timeline

The bill is currently progressing through Parliament and is expected to move swiftly:

• House of Commons stages are due to complete by May 2025.
• House of Lords consideration will follow, with expected completion by July 2025.
• Royal Assent is anticipated by early Autumn 2025, at which point the measures will come into force.
  

We will continue to monitor the Bill’s progress and provide updates on any amendments or operational guidance issued ahead of its implementation.

If you have any questions on how this legislation may impact your business, or if you’d like assistance with internal policy adjustments in anticipation of the new law, please get in touch with our team.

Contact:

Hayley Riach - Partner & Technical Director

E: hriach@keoghs.co.uk

Natalie Larnder - Head of Market Affairs

E: nlarnder@keoghs.co.uk