British retailer Co-op became one of the first companies on Wednesday to “roundly applaud” the King’s Speech and the Government’s promise to crack down on crime, including individuals who attack store workers.
In the speech, His Majesty King Charles III made clear his intentions for the nation, to bring “stability” back to the UK, while seeking to foster “security, fairness and opportunities for all.” In addition to promising better gateways for trade within Europe and support abroad for Ukraine, he set the framework for stronger measures to stop domestic terrorism and enhance safety.
“My Government will seek to strengthen the border and make streets safer,” His Majesty said in the Speech. “Legislation will be brought forward to strengthen community policing, give the police greater powers to deal with anti social behaviour and strengthen support for victims.”
Co-op said it has seen an astonishing 172,000 incidents involving its employees – everything from anti-social behavior to assault. Of the 56,000 people that Co-op employs, 125 are victims of some form of harassment or abuse daily. Acknowledging that deterrents are needed is a monumental and necessary moment for retailers across the UK.
“Today’s news marks a seismic shift in the crackdown on retail crime, and will send a clear and powerful message to those who think it is acceptable to attack, assault or abuse shopworkers that, put quite simply, the law does not accept,” said Paul Gerrard, Co-op’s Director of Campaign and Public Affairs. “It will now make it easier and much more straightforward for the authorities to investigate and prosecute – which means all shopworkers will be safer.
Gerrard cited the impact of laws in Scotland that make such abuse a crime. His company and other retailers across the UK have been pressing for legislation for more than seven years, with virtually nothing being done to stop the attacks and looting.
“We know it will make a difference, because in Scotland – where they have had the standalone offence since 2021 – we see 60% of incidents of violence and abuse towards shopworkers (that are reported to the police) resulting in arrest, while in England and Wales, without that standalone offence, the figure is just 10%,” he said.
Trying to prevent crime in its stores has been a big burden for Co-op, which says it has shelled out more than £200M in the past few years on body cams, guards, CCTV and improved security measures around kiosks. Co-op has even set up ‘dummy’ items or simply reduced items on shelves to try to thwart the stealing.
