Co-op members drive change as all shopworkers set to get the protection against attacks and assaults they deserve

10 April 2024

• Government today announce plans to make assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence, sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour
• Under the plans, perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and be banned from going back to the shop where they committed their crimes, with Criminal Behaviour Orders barring them visiting specific premises. Breaching an order is also a criminal offence and carries a five-year maximum prison sentence. For the most serious cases of assault, such as causing grievous bodily harm with intent, offenders could face a life sentence
• The move is hailed as a 'victory' for co-operation after Co-op member-owners and colleagues campaign since 2018, calling for change to ensure no shop worker should face violence or abuse as part of their job

Following a record* year for retail crime across the industry, Co-op welcomes plans announced by the Government today to introduce legislation to make assaulting a shopworker a standalone criminal offence - sending a strong and clear message to shopworkers that they have been listened to, and a warning to criminals that their unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated, and that there will be consequences.

The convenience retailer hailed the move as a 'victory for co-operation' as its member-owners joined shopworkers in communities across the nation to call for urgent change following unprecedented levels of attacks and assaults.

Under the plans, perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and be banned from going back to the shop where they committed their crimes, with Criminal Behaviour Orders barring them visiting specific premises. Breaching an order is also a criminal offence and carries a five-year maximum prison sentence. For the most serious cases of assault, such as causing grievous bodily harm with intent, offenders could face a life sentence.

Earlier this year, Co-op revealed that retail crime had hit record levels, and the launch of a hard-hitting new report commissioned by Co-op, and written by Professor of Criminology at City, University of London, Emmeline Taylor, set out a ten point plan* focused on turning the tide on prolific offenders who relentlessly blight communities and wreak physical and mental harm on store workers.

Central to the report’s recommendations is making an attack on shopworkers a stand-alone offence which is something the Co-op has campaigned for since 2018 – and today’s announcement is seen as a move which builds on the advancements seen to address crime, violence and intimidation since the introduction of the Retail Crime Action Plan.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Chief Executive of the Co-op, said:

“This announcement will resonate with shopworkers the length and breadth of the country.

“As a Co-op, we exist to make a genuine difference for our 5 million member owners and the issues they care about. This change shows the true power of co-operation, with our colleagues and Co-op member-owners having called for this urgent change to ensure no shop worker should face violence or abuse as part of their job.

“It will make a real difference to the lives of not only thousands of our Co-op colleagues, but also shopworkers across the nation and it sends a strong and clear message to shopworkers that they have been listened to, and a warning to criminals that their unacceptable behaviour will no longer be tolerated.”

Paul Gerrard, Co-op Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs,said:

“Co-op sees every day the violence and threats our colleagues, like all retail workers, face as they serve the communities they live in. We have long called for a standalone offence of attacking or abusing a shopworker and so we very much welcome the Government’s announcement today.

“Co-op will re-double its work with police forces but these measures will undoubtedly, when implemented, keep our shopworkers safer, protect the shops they work in and, help the communities they serve.”

Co-op has invested more than £200 million over recent years in colleague and store safety and security, this includes the latest interactive CCTV; body-worn cameras – which Co-op has used since 2019 to capture real time audio and visual footage at the touch of a button; the roll-out of fortified kiosks; use of dummy (or empty) packaging to deter bulk-theft and, covert (undercover) and non-covert guarding - with the tactical use of specially trained guards able to detain criminals.

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Editor Notes:

Co-op revealed that last year (2023) it experienced:
- More than one-third of a million incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour (up 44% YOY) – equating to approaching 1,000 incidents every day across its 2,400 stores.
- The convenience retailer saw over 1,325 physical assaults against store workers in 2023 (up 34% YOY) - that is three or four colleagues attacked or assaulted every day
- More than 40,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour and abuse (up 37%) This is despite Co-op introducing over £200M of preventative measures over recent years to make its stores and communities safer

New report:

Stealing with Impunity - the policing of prolific local offenders and the impact on our shops and communities - here

REPORT – 10 RECOMMENDATIONS:

Legislation and Regulation:

• Introduce a standalone offence for the Protection of Retail Workers
• Repeal Section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
• Regulation of e-commerce sites and online marketplaces

Policing:

• Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to commit to developing a strategy to tackle prolific retail crime in their Police and Crime Plans
• Review of the Retail Crime Action Plan to include measurable key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Introduction of a ‘retail flag’ to identify in the Police National Database (PND) and criminal justice case management systems when a crime has taken place in a retail setting
• Campaign to target the stolen goods market

Courts and Sentencing:

• Introduce Specialist ‘Intensive Supervision Courts’ for Retail Crime
• Presumption against custodial sentences of less than 6 months

Independent Advisor/Oversight Board:

• Appoint an Independent Advisor / Oversight Board

About Co-op:

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates almost 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing 56,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.

Further information:
Andrew Torr
Senior Press Officer, Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk / pressoffice@coop.co.uk