Labour Pledges to Halve Serious Violent Crime in Britain

Strategic Insights -

Labour leader Keir Starmer has outlined his party's plan to make Britain's streets safe by tackling serious violent crime, with key pledges to halve serious violent crime, raise confidence in the police, and increase the visibility of policing. The proposals have been welcomed by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), who have reported a significant increase in violence, threats, and abuse against their members in the retail sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour has pledged to halve serious violent crime in Britain, with a focus on reducing violence against women and girls, knife crime, and antisocial behaviour.
  • The party plans to increase the number of police officers on the streets by 13,000 and reform fixed penalty notices to make a real difference in tackling crime.
  • Usdaw's survey found that nearly a third of shopworkers are considering quitting due to violence, threats, and abuse, with 74.26% experiencing verbal abuse, 49.25% threatened, and 7.92% assaulted.
  • The total cost of retail crime stood at £1.76 billion in 2021/22, with £953 million lost to customer theft and £715 million spent on crime prevention.
  • Labour's five key missions for government include making Britain's streets safe, securing the highest sustained growth in the G7, building an NHS fit for the future, and making Britain a clean energy superpower.

Statistics:

  • 74.26% of Usdaw members experienced verbal abuse in 2022.
  • 49.25% of Usdaw members were threatened in 2022.
  • 7.92% of Usdaw members were assaulted in 2022.
  • 40.88% of Usdaw members reported experiencing anxiety at work due to violence, threats, and abuse.
  • 29.97% of Usdaw members are considering changing their job due to violence, threats, and abuse.
  • £1.76 billion was the total cost of retail crime in 2021/22.
  • £953 million was lost to customer theft in 2021/22.
  • £715 million was spent on crime prevention in 2021/22.
  • 13,000 new police officers will be added to the streets as part of Labour's plan.

Sources:

  • Manchester press release from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).
  • Usdaw 2022 survey.
  • British Retail Consortium report (2021/22).
  • Usdaw press release: 'Labour's Plan for Safer Streets'.
  • Usdaw press release: 'Usdaw Response to Labour's Crime Plan'.