UK retailers are facing an unprecedented challenge as organized crime and shoplifting have surged, leading to a record high in incidents and an alarming increase in violence and abuse against shop workers. The situation has escalated to levels last seen during the Covid pandemic, with a reported 50% increase in violence and abuse against retail employees. Labour has proposed adding 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs to the streets and introducing a new law against shopworker assaults to combat the issue. However, these measures have faced opposition from the Conservatives. Retail workers, including those at Tesco in Cleckheaton, are experiencing up to 1,300 incidents of abuse and attacks daily, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The government is being urged to take more decisive action to protect retail workers and ensure their safety at work.
Reform is to the Conservatives what we @WorkersPartyGB are to @UKLabour In up to 50 constituencies! We both punish the apostasy and cross-dressing of the two legacy parties. Expect us. #BoycottLabour
“The shops are fed up of the police not turning up!” Specialist criminal lawyer Carl Woolf says lawmakers must do more to help Britain tackle the shoplifting crisis after recorded offences rose by 25% last year. @iromg https://t.co/nvuvdoqtUV
'There is not a lot being done to prevent shoplifting' Ex-Met Detective Superintendent Shabnam Chaudri reacts to the news that retail workers are experiencing increasing levels of violence. https://t.co/37thUZjKVX
Verbal and physical abuse against shop workers has risen by a shocking 50%. Labour will protect shop workers and our communities. The Conservatives stand on a shameful record. @UsdawUnion https://t.co/oUztwj1vXl
The amount of violence, threats and abuse that shopworkers face every day is shocking – and it’s rising. No one should have to go to work fearing for their safety. This crisis demands action now. https://t.co/su9L9FD3b5
The government is being urged to take tougher action against attacks on retail workers amid soaring levels of violence and abuse towards shop staff ⬇️ https://t.co/Zn0Ytqvxfz
Abuse and attacks on UK shop workers has risen to 1,300 incidents a day. I spoke to staff at #Tesco in #Cleckheaton this week about the alarming and totally unacceptable abuse they face every day. No one should feel unsafe just doing their job. @UsdawUnion https://t.co/OKJ7LkW7Gg https://t.co/hUggcg99ca
Shocking 50% increase in violence & abuse against shopworkers. Labour will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police & PCSOs on streets + new law against shopworker assaults to bring security back to our town centres. Shameful that Tories keep voting against it https://t.co/NTKatdjY0r
Shoplifting 'epidemic' hits record high as abuse against shop workers also soars, survey shows Read more 👇 https://t.co/GRBKVdJreB
UK retailers are struggling against a rise in organized crime, and they’re calling on police to step up their response as violence against staff reaches levels last seen during the Covid pandemic https://t.co/PWqo7ijwyO via @KatieLinsell https://t.co/JT3EnufZEL