Co-op urges communities to call on PCC to tackle retail crime

Co-op is urging employees, member-owners and communities blighted by retail crime to write to their Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) candidates and call on them to commit a crack-down on criminals.

The retail industry has seen an unprecedented rise in retail crime driven by repeat and prolific offenders, and ahead of the PCC elections on 2 May Co-op is urging communities to write to PCC candidates in their region. 

The grocer is calling on them to commit to fully implement the commitments in the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Retail Crime Action Plan, and ensure the new stand-alone offence of assault against a shop worker is enforced and progress is reported through their Police and Crime Plan.

Co-op employees and member-owners have campaigned for six years for change following unprecedented levels of unchecked retail crime, attacks and assaults – with criminals acting with impunity and seemingly free from fear of any consequences.

Last October saw the launch of NPCC’s Retail Crime Action plan, which set out measures to tackle the rise in shoplifting – which is all too often a flashpoint for violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour, catch more offenders and keep retail workers safe. 

Then, earlier this month (10 April), the Government announced plans to make assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales – providing shop workers with the protection they deserve and sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour. 

Co-op believes this amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill will, if enforced, build on the advancements seen to address crime, violence and intimidation since the introduction of the Retail Crime Action Plan last October. However, without the commitment of the PCC’s to focus on retail crime, both of these new steps could face failure. 

Co-op has invested more than £200m over recent years in workers and store safety and security, this includes the latest interactive CCTV, body-worn cameras as well as the use of dummy packaging to deter bulk-theft.

Paul Gerrard, Co-op director of campaign and public affairs, said: “Retail crime impacts shop workers both physically and mentally, with many communities blighted by unacceptable levels of persistent and prolific offending. Newly elected PCCs have the opportunity to crack-down on retail crime through the implementation of the Retail Crime Action Plan and by enforcing the new standalone offence.

“We are calling on the next PCCs to deliver the protection that those working in retail and, serving communities in towns, villages and cities across the UK, deserve.”