Trade body ‘cautiously’ welcomes new bill to tackle retail crime

A trade association has cautiously welcomed Labour's Crime and Policing Bill but is demanding more immediate action and concrete funding to address the “retail crime crisis devastating high streets” across Britain.

The new legislation contains over 50 measures, including stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and making it a specific offence to assault a shop worker.

The bill also introduces ‘Respect Orders’, similar to the Anti-social Behaviour Orders that were in place until 2014.

Andrew Goodacre (pictured), CEO of Bira, said: “This bill represents a significant step forward in protecting our independent retailers who have been suffering from escalating retail crime.

“The current legislation, which deprioritises theft under £200 as a summary-only offence, has left many small retailers vulnerable and frustrated.

“However, we are deeply concerned about the four-year timeline to recruit 13,000 additional officers.

“Where is the immediate funding and support for businesses suffering right now?"

The British Retail Consortium recently reported that violent and abusive incidents increased by more than 50 per cent last year, with retailers reporting approximately 55,000 thefts daily, costing the industry £2.2 billion in 2024 alone.

In Bira's own most recent crime survey, conducted in September 2024, it found that 78.79 per cent of businesses that had experienced theft in the past 12 months reported that the frequency or severity of theft incidents had increased.

Mr Goodacre added: "Independent retailers are the backbone of our high streets. They cannot absorb these losses in the same way larger retailers can.

“Every theft impacts not just their bottom line but also creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for both staff and customers.

“The government must accelerate this recruitment timeline and provide emergency funding for additional security measures, as independent retailers cannot wait four years for protection.”

Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent retailers across the UK, is calling for the government to provide immediate financial support for security measures, faster implementation of the new laws, and a concrete timeline for when retailers will see increased police presence in their communities.

Bira, which also represents Retra (the trade association for independent electrical retailers) and the ACT (Association of Cycle Traders), has long advocated for tougher measures on retail crime and will continue to work with the government to ensure the effective implementation of these new laws.

While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated the bill aims to “take back our streets and town centres,” Bira insists that without proper funding and accelerated timelines, these promises risk becoming empty words for struggling independent retailers.

Mr Goodacre added: "Our members need more than legislation - they need boots on the ground and financial support for security now.

“We are particularly pleased to see the introduction of a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers, acknowledging the unacceptable levels of violence our members' staff face daily.

“But the retail crime epidemic requires emergency action, not just long-term plans.”