The Crime and Policing Bill, which looks to defend shopworkers against the rising tide of retail crime, has received royal assent in Parliament today (29 April).
New measures will see a separate offence created for assaulting a retail worker, while the “effective immunity” for shop theft offences under the value of £200 will be scrapped.
Police forces will have increased powers to crack down on repeat antisocial behaviour with new ‘respect orders’ banning prolific offenders from town centres. They will also be able to drug test more suspects on arrest, helping to direct users into treatment.
Police will also no longer need to apply for a warrant to search a premises where stolen goods have been electronically located.
The move to pass the bill has long been urged by the retail and convenience sectors. It comes after the British Retail Consortium recorded 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every single day and 5.5 million thefts over the course of 2025.
“The BRC, alongside others, have campaigned relentlessly for these changes,” said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson. “Stronger laws on assault and theft will send a clear warning to would-be offenders, but laws alone won’t keep retail workers safe. What matters now is consistent, visible police enforcement so colleagues can genuinely feel safe and protected at work.”
Sainsbury’s chief retail, logistics and supply chain officer Tracey Clements praised the move, stating that legislation sends a “powerful signal”.
However, she agrees that without enforcement, “it risks being a paper tiger”. “Too many colleagues still tell us they do not report incidents because they believe nothing will happen. Consistent policing, visible neighbourhood officers and effective prosecutions are essential if these laws are to make a real difference on the ground. We want to welcome more police officers into our stores and show them what we are up against.”
Research from the Retail Trust has shown that 43% of people were at risk of quitting their jobs between July and September 2025.
“Looking at the incidents in our stores just this week, it’s no surprise,” said Clements. “One of our colleagues was punched and another assaulted. These are not isolated incidents. Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear survey shows that nearly four in five retail workers experienced abuse, threats or assault last year. It is vile, it is wrong and it has to stop.
“While the human impact is my top priority, these incidents also have wider consequences. When violence occurs, stores are disrupted, colleagues are taken away from serving customers and the smooth running of day‑to‑day retail is affected. Retail crime doesn’t just harm individuals – it undermines the environment they need to do their jobs safely and confidently.”
‘The tide of criminality can be turned’
Sainsbury’s has invested in a range of measures to enhance colleague safety, including introducing body‑worn cameras to frontline teams.
Its initial rollout of facial recognition technology prevented more than nine in 10 banned offenders from returning. It is continuing to roll this technology out across its stores. This technology is now in use in 40 Sainsbury’s, with plans to roll it out to up to 200 stores by the end of the year.
Continued investment in safety and security measures and the latest technology, as well as increased levels of police attendance, were among the reasons Co-op saw crime levels reduce by more than 20% in 2025, it said. Co-op director of campaigns, public affairs and policy Paul Gerrard said he believed “the tide of criminality can be turned”.
However, at its peak, on average three to four Co-op colleagues would be attacked or assaulted in stores every day.
“Shopworkers have had to tolerate unacceptable levels of theft, abuse and violence for far too long, and it’s not right,” Gerrard said. “Local shops are an anchor in communities, and that is why Co-op, my colleagues and our members spoke up, often when others wouldn’t, to clearly say criminal behaviour, violence and abuse ‘should not be part of the job’.
“As we continue to invest significantly in wide-ranging safety and security measures, forge successful partnerships with local police forces and see a significant increase in police attendance, this landmark bill has the power to drive further sustained change, and we all must seize this opportunity and continue to do all we can to protect local community stores, and those that work in them.”
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