Usdaw condemns Welsh Tories, Reform and Plaid for opposing a protection of shop workers’ law

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “It is difficult to understand why the main opposition parties in Wales would come together to oppose a new law to protect retail staff in the face of record incidents of shoplifting and very high levels of violence, threats and abuse against shop workers. We are now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent will mean that these important measures will not apply in Wales when the legislation is passed in the UK Parliament.

“Shoplifting in Wales has doubled since the pandemic, and that is directly linked to the increase in attacks on staff. Usdaw’s last survey found that two-thirds of attacks on retail staff were triggered by theft or armed robbery. Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers. 

“Usdaw has long campaigned for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem, and we were pleased that the UK Government introduced the Crime and Policing Bill. It has passed all stages in the House of Commons and is now going through the final stages in the House of Lords. After the last Conservative UK Government persistently refused to legislate to protect retail workers and effectively provided an open invitation to retail criminals, Labour has immediately set about tackling the issue.

“The Crime and Policing Bill provides a much-needed protection of shop workers law, ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and introducing Respect Orders for offenders. It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve. It has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of shop workers and help end the blight of shoplifting on retail businesses. It would be shameful if the Tories, Plaid and Reform have blocked this important legislation from applying in Wales.”