Shoplifting in the West Midlands has surged by 44% over the past year, with violence against shopworkers increasing by 50%. In response, Labour leader Keir Starmer has criticized the current Conservative government's policies, attributing the rise in crime to their 'shoplifter's charter' sentencing rules that let thieves off in 250,000 cases. Starmer, speaking at the Usdaw Union conference, announced Labour's commitment to scrapping these rules, aiming to restore law and order on Britain's high streets as crime rates have soared to a 20-year-high. He emphasized that under a Labour government, the leniency observed under the Tories would end, putting shoplifters 'on notice'.
Do you want to know WHY crime is not going down? 14 yrs of Tory Govt decimated policing (1/2m yrs experience lost, 800 stations closed), the courts (100s gone), the prisons & support services overwhelmed They also increased poverty & inequality Victims & communities pay the price
Speaking at @UsdawUnion conference today, I set out Labour's plan to back our retail workers and tackle crime on our high streets. Shoplifters might get away with it under a weak Tory government, but they won't on my watch. https://t.co/wWtVQqG66g
Keir Starmer puts shoplifters ‘on notice’ in crackdown on epidemic of thefts and assaults on retail workers https://t.co/qRdxuRohLI
Starmer vows crackdown on 'shoplifting epidemic' plaguing Britain after stats soar to 20-year-high, reports @NatashaC https://t.co/SoRr4Vh04n
Starmer says Labour would scrap Tory 'shoplifter's charter' sentencing rules he claims are driving up crime - https://t.co/u2hW9Ijgj0
Keir Starmer puts ‘shoplifters on notice’ as thieves get off in 250,000 cases https://t.co/FiLxc8RBZC
Shoplifting in the West Midlands has risen 44% in the last year alone, and violence against shopworkers 50% higher. Britain cannot afford more decline from the Conservatives on crime and justice. Labour will restore the rule of law on our high streets. https://t.co/0MVjY18hnu