UK government increases penalties for shoplifting

The new penalties go from being banned from returning to the store perpetrators committed crimes to a life sentence for most serious assaults.

In response to rising crime in the retail sector, the UK government has announced heightened penalties for retail crimes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to bolster protection for retail workers by imposing stricter punishments on offenders. Serial or abusive shoplifters now face up to six months in prison and may incur an unlimited fine.

The new regulation includes banning criminals from returning to the shop where they committed their crimes. For most serious assaults, like deliberately injuring a staff worker, offenders could face a life sentence.

“Since 2010, violent and neighbourhood crime in England and Wales has fallen dramatically, showing our plan to keep our streets safe is working. Yet shoplifting and violence and abuse towards retail workers continues to rise,” said Sunak according to Talking Retail.

This news follows a prolonged campaign led by retailers advocating for greater protective measures for their employees. Key organizations, including the Association of Convenience Stores, the Co-op, and the Usdaw shopworkers’ union, have been vocal in this initiative to safeguard their staff and members.

“Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse,” added the prime minister.

Furthermore, the government plans to invest in facial recognition technology to identify and deter criminals, with an allocation of £55.5 million over the next four years.