Local Shops Welcome Introduction of Crime and Policing Act

Local shops have welcomed new laws that aim to reset the narrative on retail crime and back colleagues who have been the victim of attacks.

Measures introduced today as part of the Crime and Policing Act include:

• A standalone offence for assaults on retail workers, recognising the risks faced by shopworkers and ensuring violent offenders are held accountable.
• Removal of the £200 threshold for shop theft, encouraging more reporting and improving police response to all incidents, regardless of value.
• Extended closure orders for rogue traders, introducing tougher sanctions for those selling dangerous illicit goods.

The introduction of the Act comes as part of a wider prioritisation of tackling retail crime by the Government. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister highlighted plans to crack down on shop theft at the USDAW annual Conference, and earlier this month the Government announced it had met its initial targets of putting 3,000 additional police officers on the streets ahead of expectations.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP said: "This government's Crime and Policing Act represents a true reset in policy, giving retailers significantly bolstered protections. By removing the so-called £200 'licence to steal', we will ensure that shop theft is no longer a 'summary-only' offence heard at a magistrates' court with minimal punishment. This will help to break the cycle of shoplifters repeatedly stealing products and ensure they face proper justice - no matter the value.

"A new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker, created in direct response to the sharp increase in violence and abuse experienced by staff, will send an unambiguous message: attacks on shop workers will be treated with the seriousness they deserve. Our message is clear: this government will always back those who make up the heart of our highstreets."

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: "The Crime and Policing Act marks a turning point in the way that shop theft and abuse will be treated by the justice system. Convenience retailers and shopworkers can feel more confident that action will be taken against prolific shop thieves as the government enshrines in law tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers and clarity on how shop theft will be dealt with in courts.

"These new powers need to be backed by local police forces on the ground and the wider justice system sending a clear message that when shop theft incidents are reported, police will respond and justice will be served to break the awful cycle of reoffending that causes significant damage to communities."

Figures from the 2026 ACS Crime Report show that 64% of retailers have stated that they're reporting more crime to the police than last year, and that 62% of retailers now describe their relationship with neighbourhood police as good or very good.

ACS is committed to working with the Government, retailers and local forces to ensure that reporting crime is as simple as possible, and that the sanctions facing offenders are effective at breaking the cycle of reoffending.

Full details of the Crime and Policing Act are available here