The UK government plans to abolish the £200 threshold for shoplifting to address rising retail crime.
- Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson announced the move at the Co-operative party’s retail crime summit.
- The 2014 legislation limited police action on crimes involving goods under £200, which will now change.
- A new law is proposed to protect shop workers from abuse and assault.
- Leaders in retail welcome these changes amid increasing crime and threats in stores.
The UK government is set to eliminate the £200 threshold for shoplifting, marking a significant policy shift aimed at tackling the escalating issue of retail crime. This decision was revealed by Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson during a speech at the Co-operative party’s retail crime summit in London, emphasising an urgent need for reform in how shoplifting cases are approached and handled.
The existing 2014 legislation, implemented by the then Conservative government, categorised shoplifting of goods valued at £200 or less as a summary-only offence. This has led to a system where cases under this threshold were often deprioritised by police, even when involving repeat or organised criminal activities. Johnson criticised this as leaving businesses and retail staff vulnerable, pointing to a decade of insufficient enforcement against shoplifting.
Johnson stressed that removing the £200 limit will treat shoplifting with greater seriousness, addressing what she described as a “shameful neglect” of retail crime over the past decade. Her remarks also included a critique of the Conservative government’s role over the last 14 years, holding them accountable for the current state of retail crime management.
In addition to scrapping the threshold, Johnson outlined a proposal for a new law to specifically address assaults on shop workers, acknowledging the pressing need for legal protection in this area. She stated unequivocally that abuse towards shop workers is unacceptable and that perpetrators will face legal consequences.
The announcement has been met with approval from retail leaders, including Usdaw union general secretary Paddy Lillis, who expressed support for the Labour government’s commitment to enhancing legal safeguards for shop staff. According to Lillis, retail crime, particularly perpetrated by organised gangs, poses serious risks to both workers and customers, often involving violence and intimidation.
Lillis highlighted alarming findings from Usdaw’s latest survey, which reported that approximately one in seven retail employees has experienced violence, threats, or abuse related to shoplifting or armed robbery. The data underscores the widespread impact and fear these crimes instil in retail environments, calling for immediate and decisive action.
These legislative changes signal a robust governmental response to growing concerns over retail crime, prioritising the safety of workers and effective deterrents.
