Retail Crime on the Rise: Government Introduces New Measures to Tackle the Issue
Government Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, Diana Johnson, recently visited Northampton town centre to discuss the growing concern of retail crime with local shop owners and police officers. Johnson emphasized that retail crime is a pressing issue that affects not only businesses but also shop staff, who are often subjected to violence and abuse. The government has introduced a new Retail Crime Action Plan to improve the way police forces respond to incidents, and has pledged £7 million over the next three years to build a national intelligence picture around organized retail crime.
Key Takeaways:
- The government has introduced a new Retail Crime Action Plan to improve the way police forces respond to incidents of retail crime.
- The plan includes a commitment to investigate every reported crime and provide feedback to the shop owner, as well as a focus on repeat offenders and those who use violence.
- Retail crime comes in many forms, including opportunistic thefts, large-scale organized activity, and abuse of shop staff.
- There were 1,500 assaults and violent incidents against shop workers every single day last year, a 50% increase compared to the previous year.
- A new offence has been introduced to ensure perpetrators face tougher consequences.
- St Giles Street shop owner Julie Teckman has seen a reduction in theft since trialling a new surveillance system with camera pods linked to a live monitoring centre manned by Northants Police.
- The relationship between local police and shop owners has improved, with more police presence on the streets and a stronger reporting of crimes.
- The government has committed to 13,000 additional police officers and PCSOs over the course of this parliament, with the first tranche of 3,000 officers to be deployed by the end of next March.
- A £200 million funding boost has been given to kick-start the recruitment of additional police officers.
Statistics:
- 1,500 assaults and violent incidents against shop workers every single day last year.
- 50% increase in violent incidents against shop workers compared to the previous year.
- £7 million pledged over the next three years to build a national intelligence picture around organized retail crime.
- 13,000 additional police officers and PCSOs to be deployed over the course of this parliament.
- £200 million funding boost to kick-start the recruitment of additional police officers.
Sources:
- Chronicle and Echo