These prolific offenders could face tough restrictions on their movements, including being banned from high streets and town centres or fitted with GPS tags to track their every step if ordered by the judge. Other measures could include closer monitoring of perpetrators through Intensive Supervision Courts, which subjects them to more regular hearings in front of a judge. Those who don’t comply or breach conditions can face jail time.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “A small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of shop theft. They wreak havoc on our high streets, leave businesses out of pocket and make retail workers scared to go to work. Under this Government, shop theft is starting to fall, and more offenders are getting charged. But now, we are going further by targeting those who are causing so much harm to our communities and stopping them in their tracks.”
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Usdaw’s latest survey results show a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of abuse and threats retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs, which reflects the recent small downturn in shop theft. However, it is very worrying that violence has increased. It appears that the overall number of incidents is in decline, but the severity is increasing. So, we welcome Government investment in policing, with specific projects to tackle retail crime. This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. Nobody should be afraid to go to work.”
Voices from the frontline: Some of the comments retail staff made when completing our annual survey…
“Asked shoplifter to leave the store, he then threatened to stab me with a knife several times.”
“Anger for things out of my control, drunk and disorderly, knives being brought in, shoplifting.”
“Shoplifter, when challenged spat at me, threatened to wait for me finishing work. I had 2 full cans of beer thrown at me by a shoplifter.”
“Stopped thief stealing alcohol. A week later he came in because he recognised me, threatened to fight me. I had headset, got backup.”
“Shoplifter wasn't happy about being refused entry, pushed me and threw alcohol in my face.”
“Attacked by a shoplifter with a knife previously and have had people recently carrying knives. Regular sexual and inappropriate comments.”
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 with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Interim results of the Usdaw’s 2026 survey are based on 2,233 responses from retail workers, in face-to-face interviews with Usdaw workplace reps. They show that in the last twelve months (change from last year):
69% (-2) have experienced verbal abuse.
45% (-3) were threatened by a customer.
12% (+3) were assaulted.
The final results of the survey will be published early next year.
Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against workers by engaging the public, shop workers and the Government. www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Freedom-From-Fear
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion