What are we going to do? 

Ensure the police and courts have the necessary powers to help tackle assaults against retail workers and shop theft. Measures in the Crime and Policing Bill will: 

(a) Create a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker to protect staff, measure the scale of the problem and drive down retail crime.  

(b) Repeal section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (as inserted by section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014) to ensure that all shop theft is treated with the seriousness it deserves.  

How are we going to do it? 

Assault against a retail worker 

The bill introduces a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker which will have a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and/or an unlimited fine – and upon first conviction, there is a presumption on the courts to impose a criminal behaviour order (CBO). A CBO prohibits the offender from doing anything described in the order (which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress or preparatory acts which the offending history shows are likely to lead to offences). A CBO could also bar offenders from visiting affected shops or premises. 

Tackling low-level shop theft  

The bill will remove the perceived immunity granted to shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less, by repealing Section 22A of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 and the legislation that inserted it (section 176 of Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014). 

This will ensure that all offences are tried as ‘general theft’ (an either way offence with a maximum custodial sentence of seven years), instead of summarily in the magistrates’ court, unless the defendant elects for jury trial. 

Background 

Assault against a retail worker 

In response to retail industry data reporting an increase in the frequency and severity of violence and abuse experienced by retail workers, the retail sector has been campaigning  for years  for the creation of a new offence of assaulting a retail worker – not only to send a strong message that this criminality is not acceptable, but also to ensure data on assaults against retail workers is collected and can be used to influence police activity and response. The government’s election manifesto included a commitment to create such a bespoke offence. 

Tackling low value shop theft 

Section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 provides that shop thefts of £200 or less must be tried summarily in a magistrates’ court unless the defendant elects for jury trial. 

This has created a perception that police will not respond to low-value shop theft and offenders will escape punishment.  

Key statistics 

The police recorded 492,914 shop theft offences for year ending September 2024, a year-on-year increase of 23%. This is the highest level since the current Home Office Counting Rules were introduced in 2002/03. ^{[footnote 1]}

The British Retail Consortium Crime Report 2025 showed there were around 737,000 incidents of violence and abuse in 2023-24 up from 475,000, or 1,300 incidents a day, in the previous survey year. ^{[footnote 2]} 

The Association of Convenience Stores Crime Report 2024, which represents smaller and independent stores, estimated around 76,000 incidents of violence in the sector and over 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse over a 12-month period. ^{[footnote 3]}  

Figures published by the trade union Usdaw in March 2024 show that over 7 out of 10 workers said they had been verbally abused in the 12 months to December 2023. 46% received threats of violence and 18% were physically assaulted during the year. ^{[footnote 4]}  

Frequently asked questions 

Assault against a retail worker 

Common assault is already an offence. Why are you creating a bespoke offence of assaulting a retail worker?  

It is unacceptable that shop theft and violence and abuse towards retail workers continues to rise.  

We ask retailers to perform a significant act of public service as they enforce restrictions on the sale of items including cigarettes, alcohol and knives.  

This bespoke offence will send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on retail workers are unacceptable and won’t go unpunished.  

Upon first conviction, there will be a presumption on the courts to impose a CBO which will prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order and could bar them from visiting affected shops or premises. 

This offence will also help ensure assaults on retail workers are separately recorded, so we know the true scale of the problem, enabling the police to respond accordingly.  

Retailers experience high volumes of abuse from people who live in the same locality. What can be done to support them?  

It is unacceptable that retail workers are subject to violence and abuse. Everybody has a right to feel safe on the job.   

In addition to introducing a bespoke offence of assaulting a retail worker, the police also committed in 2023 to prioritise attendance where violence has been used against shopworkers.   

The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention will continue to host the Retail Crime Forum to ensure regular engagement with law enforcement and the retail sector and to discuss what more we can do to tackle retail crime, including abuse. 

Repealing section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 

Why are you repealing section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 when police have confirmed the £200 threshold does not preclude police action?  

The government welcomes the National Police Chiefs’ Council Retail Crime Action Plan, which includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel. Although there are early positive outcomes following the police’s commitment, there is more to be done.  

This legislation has meant that offenders and would-be offenders perceive they can get away with shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less.  

Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone knows that.  

Will repealing the £200 threshold not just add to national Criminal Justice System backlogs and reduce victim satisfaction?  

Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone knows that.  

All victims deserve to have a satisfactory outcome when they report a crime, and this government is committed to ensuring victims of crime and persistent anti-social behaviour have the information and support they need.

Footnotes