Violence in Retail – What is Labour Planning to Do?

Introduction

Violence against retail workers has long been a major concern for businesses, employees, and the wider public. Retail workers are increasingly becoming the target of verbal abuse, physical assaults, and threats, often during routine transactions. Retailers have raised alarm over the growing frequency of such incidents, which not only impact employee wellbeing but also result in significant costs for businesses, including lost productivity, insurance claims, and reputational damage. In response to these mounting concerns, the government has signalled its intention to introduce comprehensive measures aimed at better protecting retail workers. These proposals were outlined in Labour’s 2024 King’s Speech and are expected to form part of the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

This alert outlines Labour’s planned approach to addressing violence against retail workers, summarising the key proposals and their potential impact on the retail sector.

Labour’s Proposals for Retail Worker Protection

Following their election in July 2024, the Labour government committed to tackling the growing issue of violence against retail workers as a central focus of their criminal justice reforms. The 2024 King’s Speech included a promise to introduce a new Crime and Policing Bill, which will contain provisions aimed at making assaults on retail workers a standalone criminal offence.

The Labour Party’s commitment follows similar efforts in Scotland, where Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson successfully campaigned for the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill, introducing a similar standalone offence. This initiative was developed in cooperation with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), the union representing retail employees, which has been a key force behind pushing for stronger legal protections.

Though the full details of the Crime and Policing Bill have yet to be revealed, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has made clear the party’s intention to introduce a new law protecting shopworkers. Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Cooper stated: “After years of Co-op and Usdaw campaigning, this Labour Government will introduce a new law on assaults on shopworkers, because everyone has the right to work in freedom from fear.” This commitment was also referenced in the King’s Speech notes, confirming that it will form part of the upcoming legislation.

Usdaw, which has long advocated for stronger protections, has expressed its support for the proposals, with General Secretary, Paddy Lillis, welcoming the commitment to address what he termed an “epidemic” of retail crime. Usdaw’s position includes not only stronger legal protections for retail workers but also the removal of the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been criticised for allowing retail crime to proliferate with minimal consequences.

Key Issues Addressed by Labour’s Proposals

1. Standalone Offence for Assaults on Retail Workers: The central proposal is the creation of a standalone offence specifically for assaults on retail workers. This will likely make such assaults easier to prosecute and provide a clear deterrent against targeting shop staff. The creation of a new criminal offence has been backed by Usdaw and large retailers who all support measures to tackle the growing wave of abuse and violence faced by their staff.
2. Reform of Shoplifting Laws: As part of its efforts to combat retail crime, Labour also intends to end the £200 threshold rule for shoplifting offences. Under current law, thefts under £200 are often not investigated, even when the same offenders return repeatedly to commit crimes. Labour’s proposed changes would allow for more serious consequences for persistent offenders, which retailers believe will reduce the frequency of theft and importantly its associated risks to workers, along with shrinkage.
3. Neighbourhood Policing: Labour’s 2024 manifesto also pledged to restore neighbourhood policing, with thousands of additional police officers allocated to communities, including shopping districts. This is part of a wider strategy to increase visibility and deter crime in retail settings.
4. Co-op’s Campaign: The Co-op, a key player in the retail sector, has launched its own campaign focused on addressing retail violence, with a particular emphasis on policing, court procedures, and legislative reforms. Their recommendations include:
    - Policing: Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to develop strategies to tackle retail crime, as well as introducing a “retail flag” in police databases to track crimes in retail settings.
    - Courts and Sentencing: Calls for specialised courts to address retail crime and for stricter sentencing rules, including a presumption against custodial sentences of less than six months.
    - Legislative Reforms: The repeal of section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which limits certain powers to address antisocial behaviour in retail environments, as well as tighter regulation of e-commerce platforms that facilitate the sale of stolen goods.

While not all of these recommendations are likely to be included in the Crime and Policing Bill, they provide an indication of the type of reforms currently under consideration by the Home Office.

Next Steps – Waiting for the Bill

The introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill is highly anticipated. In October 2024, Labour MP Kirsteen Sullivan asked the Leader of the House of Commons when the bill would be introduced, to which Lucy Powell responded that the introduction could be expected “in the coming weeks or months”.

The retail sector now waits for the publication of the bill to see which specific provisions will be included and how these changes will affect the enforcement of retail crime and the protection of workers. Retailers should continue to lobby for stronger protections and clearer enforcement measures as part of this legislative process.

Conclusion

Retailers have long highlighted the need for stronger protections against violence and abuse directed at their employees. Labour’s proposals represent a significant step forward in addressing these concerns, with the introduction of a standalone offence for assaults on retail workers included in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

As the bill moves closer to introduction, retailers must stay informed about these developments, which could have a major impact on how retail crimes are prosecuted and prevented, and how worker safety is ensured. The industry’s focus now turns to the bill’s final contents and its timely introduction, as the retail sector continues to push for meaningful changes to combat violence in the workplace.

We will keep you updated as the bill is introduced to Parliament.

Hayley Riach - Partner – Technical Director

Kari Hansen - Partner – Head of Retail

Natalie Larnder - Head of Market Affairs