Transparency data

Retail Crime Forum: minutes 3 December 2024

Published 26 February 2025

Attendees

• Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Police, Fire and Crime Prevention (Chair)
• Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs Council
• PCC Andy Dunbobbin and PCC Katy Bourne, Association of Police and Crime Commissions
• Opal
• City of London Police
• British Retail Consortium
• Association of Convenience Stores
• Federation of Wholesale Distributors
• USDAW
• Federation of Small Businesses
• The Federation of Independent Retailers
• National Association of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships
• Petrol Retailers Association
• British Independent Retailers Association
• Institute of Customer Services
• Charity Retail Association
• Mitie
• Dr Emmeline Taylor, University of City of London
• Tesco
• Co-Op
• Sainsburys
• Police
• Primark
• Next Group
• Morrisons
• BP
• Ikea

Government update

Minister Johnson highlighted government concerns about retail crime and set out government intentions to tackle this, including:

• new legislative commitments of an offence of assaulting a retail worker, and repealing Section 176 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Police and Crime Act 2014 (which has allowed the perception of offenders that shop theft of goods under £200 will go unpunished)
• new funding for policing, as outlined in the Autumn Budget 2024, over £7 million over the next three financial years
• recent government response to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry; and
• making clear the understanding that reporting of retail crime is still not sufficient

All attendees agreed these were positive steps.

There were discussions regarding the issues with reporting, including that retail workers often have to report multiple times via various systems i.e. internal systems and to police.

Police update

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman (NPCC) shared an update on the National Police Chiefs’ Council October 2023 Retail Crime Action Plan, noting:

• the plan is fit for purpose and police are seeing increased reporting, which will be supported by the government’s legislative measures
• Amanda Blakeman acknowledged more work was needed with platforms and retailers about how to improve and streamline reporting: this includes working with Single Online Home colleagues

City of London Police shared about the positive initiatives happening, including the National Business Action Week and Safer Spaces schemes, as well as the work of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs).

Retailers observed there are inconsistent approaches across postcode areas.

Police noted importance of reporting crime straight away to make connections across crimes, and across police force areas, and help police see bigger picture.

Co-op and Ikea noted that police will not be able to respond to everything, demonstrating the importance of effective relationships with policing and the retail sector and sharing good data and intelligence.

Legislation

There was discussion on the definition of a retail worker for the new offence of assaulting a retail worker, including whether it will match existing Scottish legislation and cover delivery drivers and wholesale workers.

Minister Johnson noted the need for legislation to be clear and precise, and will share scope in due course.

Out of court disposals

Out of court disposals was raised, including tagging and banning orders and how they can assist in tacking prolific offenders. Minister Johnson confirmed a Sentencing Review, led by the Ministry of Justice, is ongoing and outlined the government’s plans for 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables to restore neighbourhood policing (with a focus on town centres and high streets), and respect orders.

There was agreement that we cannot just police or arrest our way out of the problem; interventions and treatments are needed to change behaviour. There was also agreement that we cannot forget those who are the victims, and the duty of care businesses have.

There was a challenge around retailers not being informed when a criminal behaviour order (CBO) is applied, so they are unaware when this has taken place and cannot notify the police if an individual subject to a CBO is encountered.

It was raised that business crime reduction partnerships have great data, but are not always allowed to directly report to police.

There was reflection on the need to be careful with reporting to not overwhelm the police, keen to understand what we can do regarding prevention tactics.

Lord Hanson noted he was keen to understand issues and there was general support in Lords for new legislative measures.

Retail Crime Strategic Delivery Framework

Mitie ran through the seven strands of work, which lots of people are working towards achieving, and requested to use the Retail Crime Forum as a governance structure.

Supported by policing and the retail sector.

Pillar 1 of the Fusion Cell Framework allows for more data and intelligence, but must be done incrementally.

Minister Johnson requested an update for the next forum meeting.

Pegasus

Katy Bourne (APCC) and Opal provided an update on background and the latest statistics, noting Pegasus is proving an effective model which other sectors are looking to recreate. Complimented the fact Pegasus can go cross police force areas.

Discussed future of Pegasus potentially including freight crime, financial investigation capabilities and where stolen goods go and asset recovery. Asset recovery mostly done for regional organised crime units (ROCUs), but consideration on whether there should be an individual focused on retail crime in each ROCU.

Next steps

Dr Emmeline Taylor (City of London University) noted there is a lack of evidence on offenders, stolen goods and resale markets. There was an observation about a lack of research on what works to prevent reoffending.

The resale markets, particularly online, were echoed as a key area. Other areas e.g. wholesale may gain additional crime from the displacement out of retail stores.

Employment of offenders, and good reporting work being scaled up was raised.

There was agreement that when new legislation comes in, there is an opportunity to reset the attitude on this crime and strong messaging should support this.

More efficient / private prosecution was raised, having a specific shop theft prosecution unit. This sits within the Ministry of Justice so needs to be raised with them.

The next meeting to take place in late spring (May).

Actions

Mitie to bring an update on the Retail Crime Strategic Delivery Framework to the next meeting.

Home Office to look into retailers being informed on CBOs, lack of BCRPs being able to report to police and a shop theft prosecution unit.