This continues the trend of persistent quarterly increases after a dramatic decrease during the pandemic.
Shoplifting was decreasing slowly from a 2017 peak and plummeted during the pandemic. While the number of reported incidents hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, they are well on the way after increases in the last six consecutive quarters. The trend is clear when comparing the year-on-year stats on police recorded shoplifting:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| +32% | +23% | -1% | -29% | -2% | -3% | +8% |
Interim results from Usdaw’s 2023 annual survey, showing responses from over 3,000 shopworkers found that 60% of incidents of violence, threats and abuse were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary says: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. This 32% increase in shoplifting is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.
“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in the stores and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Our latest survey results show that two-thirds of retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 60% of these incidents.
“This Government has repeatedly failed to act in the face of an epidemic of retail crime and rising theft from shops. It was deeply disappointing that there are no measures in their legislative programme to tackle high levels of theft from shops and abuse of shopworkers. Labour has promised to plug the gap by seeking to amend the Government’s Criminal Justice Bill to strengthen the law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse.
“A protection of shopworkers law, which already exists in Scotland, would be a great start to tackling abuse of retail staff. We also welcome Labour’s other commitments to 13,000 more neighbourhood police with guaranteed patrols in town centres, respect orders to ban repeat offenders and ending the £200 threshold for investigating and prosecuting shop theft. Labour is clearly offering the change our members need.”
Voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
“Man spat on me when I confronted him for trying to steal coffee from us. Get drunk people who try to steal, swearing at myself and other colleagues.”
“Regular shoplifter threatened me and another staff member, said not to try anything because he had a knife.”
“Shoplifter went to hit me and another said they were going to cut my throat. Had a band of shoplifters coming in being aggressive, rude and threatening.”
“Abuse from youths on a daily basis - threats and violence from shoplifters under the influence of drink and drugs.”
“Challenged a thief and was pushed and swung at. A shoplifter punched the window next to me and said it would be my face next time.”
“Involved in an armed robbery and attacked with a machette. Had items of stock thrown at me by customers.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Interim results of the Usdaw’s 2023 survey, based on 3,082 responses, show that: 65.44% were verbally abused, 42.74% were threatened. 17.52% shopworkers had been assaulted during their career. 4.81% had been assaulted this year. Of those who were abused, threatened or assaulted, 59.71% said that shoplifting and armed robbery was the trigger. The final results of the survey will be published in March 2024.
Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area data tables:
Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2021/6
Criminal Justice Bill 2023: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3511
Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against workers by engaging the public, shopworkers and the Government.
www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Freedom-From-Fear
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion