After years of campaigning by ACS and other trade bodies and unions, the Crime and Policing Bill has finally become law. It introduces a series of long-awaited measures aimed at resetting the narrative on retail crime. For convenience retailers, this is not about headlines or political wins, it’s about changing what happens day to day in stores, and whether colleagues feel safer coming to work.
For the almost half a million people working in convenience, the most important change is a new offence that provides stronger protection when the worst happens. Assaulting a shopworker will now carry greater weight in law, reflecting the seriousness and long‑term impact these incidents can have. An assault in a store is never a minor matter. It can leave colleagues with lasting physical and emotional harm that can be life-changing.
The goal is not simply securing more convictions under an aggravated offence, though that matters. The real test will be whether the change in law is communicated clearly and enforced consistently enough to deter violence before it happens.
Stronger protection for shopworkers
Combined with the millions of pounds retailers already invest every year in crime prevention, including headsets, body‑worn cameras and training, this marks a significant step-change in how violence and abuse are tackled in shops.
We also know that violence in stores is often linked directly to shop theft. Retailers regularly tell us the greatest flashpoint is confronting offenders who use violence and abuse to escape with stolen goods. That is why the bill’s approach to shop theft is so important.
Sarah Jones, crime and policing minister
“We have all seen the videos of young people storming M&S in Clapham. These were disgusting scenes which we, the government, will not stand for. Business owners and shop workers reading The Grocer have been making this case for years: shoplifting is not a low-level crime. It blights town centres and strikes fear into consumers and retail staff.
“We are taking tough action. This government’s Crime and Policing Act represents a true reset in policy, giving retailers significantly bolstered protections. By removing the so-called £200 ‘licence to steal’, we will ensure that shop theft is no longer a ‘summary-only’ offence heard at a magistrates’ court with minimal punishment. This will help to break the cycle of shoplifters repeatedly stealing products and ensure they face proper justice – no matter the value.
“A new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker, created in direct response to the sharp increase in violence and abuse experienced by staff, will send an unambiguous message: attacks on shop workers will be treated with the seriousness they deserve. We have already done important work protecting our high streets. The number of shoplifters facing justice has soared under this government, with 17% more charges in just a year. And we have already delivered an additional 3,000 neighbourhood policing officers to local areas.
“Our message is clear: this government will always back those who make up the heart of our high streets.”
Scrapping the so-called £200 threshold for shop theft sends a clear message: theft matters, regardless of the value stolen. It removes ambiguity and reinforces that every offence should be reported, recorded and responded to. Retailers should report all incidents, police should process those reports properly, and the justice system should respond with interventions that break cycles of repeat offending.
Tackling the root causes of retail crime
For too long, shop theft has been wrongly seen as a victimless crime. The reality could not be further from that. Much of the theft retailers face is carried out by repeat offenders, often known to the police, communities and retailers alike. These individuals are often dealing with addiction issues and are linked to organised criminal networks.
The bill also addresses the growing problem of rogue operators on high streets, often referred to as “mini marts”, who trade illegal goods, sell age-restricted products to young people and undermine legitimate businesses. Faster closure orders are a welcome move, alongside the new Home Office’s High Street Illegality Taskforce.
If backed by proper resources, this should strengthen local enforcement. I saw the impact of this approach first‑hand during Operation Zoridon, a multi‑agency operation led by the Metropolitan Police that disrupted rogue businesses, seized £150,000 worth of stolen goods and led to 15 arrests. That kind of co-ordinated action makes a real difference.
Retailers are already doing all they can to tackle these problems. Convenience stores invested £313m in crime prevention last year, yet crime still cost the sector over £354m. This legislation gives hope that, with stronger laws and a more reliable police response, that balance can start to change.
We know that the tide won’t turn overnight, but there is hope that the worst is behind us and with a renewed focus on dealing with theft, new protections for shopworkers and most importantly more of a police presence on the streets, we can reset the narrative on retail crime.
Ed Woodall is CEO of the ACS
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