Co-op wants attacks on shop staff to be standalone offence as incidents soar

08 February 2024 , 08:53

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A customer using contactless payment at a Co-op store. The company said attacks on shop staff have risen dramatically (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Retail giant Co-op has unveiled a plan to combat the rising crime rates in its stores following a record number of violent incidents against its staff.

The company wants assaults against shop workers to be recognised as a separate offence to help combat this growing issue. Last year, over 300,000 instances of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour were reported in Co-op stores. Assaults alone saw an increase of a third, totalling more than 1,300 incidents.

A report by Professor Emmeline Taylor, a criminology expert at City, University of London, commissioned by the Co-op, outlines a 10-point plan to counteract the "alarming" surge in crime, violence, intimidation and abuse. The proposal to make attacking a shop worker a distinct offence is set to be discussed in Parliament as part of amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill.

Despite investing over £200 million in preventative measures to enhance the safety of its stores and communities, the Co-op has seen a rise in crime. Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, said: "We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products, in our shops every day, and, if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous."

He added: "Crime is an occupation for some it is not petty crime, and it is not victimless. It is imperative MPs don't turn their backs on shopworkers, and vote through the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to give my colleagues the protection they deserve.

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"Taking on board Prof Taylor's recommendations, with a collaborative approach between the retail industry, the police, and the Government, will send out a loud and clear message to all those who commit brazen and violent acts of theft that time is now up on their criminal ways."

Professor Taylor added: "Retail crime not only impacts on a business's ability to operate safely and profitably but as my report demonstrates it also causes serious harm to shop workers, both physically and mentally, and to communities that are blighted by persistent offending. The police in England and Wales have lost grip on the scale and severity of acquisitive crime, and, in turn, retailers have lost confidence in them and the wider criminal justice system."

"My report sets out 10 actionable recommendations to turn the tide on the current tsunami of shop theft." He concluded with a call to action: "By taking decisive action to tackle high-volume, high-impact retail crime, the police and retail industry can work together to create safer communities in which to live, work and shop."

Lawrence Matheson