New crime and policing bill aims to protect high streets
Announced today, the government has unveiled a sweeping Crime and Policing Bill aimed at transforming the fight against retail crime and restoring confidence on British high streets.
The Bill will empower police to search premises without a warrant when stolen items are electronically tracked – a move designed to ensure swift recoveries during the critical ‘golden hour’ of an investigation. It will also abolish the outdated law that treated shoplifting of goods under £200 as a minor offence, ensuring every incident is taken seriously.
Retail industry leaders have welcomed the reforms.
Dee Corsi, Chief Executive Officer at New West End Company, commented:
“Today’s commitment from the government to enhance police powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and phone theft, alongside the scrapping of the counterproductive law that trivialised shoplifting of items under £200, marks a critical step forward in protecting our high streets.
“The new standalone offence for assaulting shopworkers is a long-overdue measure that we and our peers in the industry have been calling for. However, these reforms must be backed by the necessary funding and resources for local policing to ensure that the public and local businesses feel safe and secure.
“We are committed to continuing our work with the Metropolitan Police and key partners in the West End to combat crime and ensure all visitors can enjoy the district.”
The British Retail Consortium recently warned that retail crime is “spiralling out of control” despite unprecedented spending on prevention. According to the trade body’s annual crime survey, violent and abusive incidents increased by more than 50% last year, with retailers reporting 55,000 thefts a day – a figure that cost the industry an estimated £2.2bn.
In parallel, Retail Trust, a key advocate for improved conditions across the sector, has underscored the need for sustained investment and robust local policing. Retail Trust stresses that while the Bill’s provisions are a promising development, their success hinges on adequate funding and strong collaboration between law enforcement and the retail community.
With these sweeping reforms now heading to Parliament, the retail sector remains cautiously optimistic that, together with industry partners and the police, they can restore confidence on British high streets and create safer shopping environments for all.
