UK Government Introduces New Measures to Combat Retail Crime

The new legislation includes tougher penalties for shoplifters and a specific offense for assaulting retail workers, aiming to curb the rising incidents of theft and violence in stores.

Assaulting a retail worker is now a standalone criminal offense in the UK, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Serial shoplifters will be tagged and face stricter bans from stores, as part of efforts to address over 400,000 shoplifting incidents annually.
Retailers and police will utilize advanced facial recognition technology, supported by a £55.5 million investment, to identify and apprehend suspects.
The legislation marks a significant policy shift following a long-running campaign by retail workers and businesses demanding greater protection.
Critics argue the new measures may not effectively reduce retail crime, but the government insists on a zero-tolerance approach to ensure safety in stores.