Crime and Policing Act 2026: retail crime factsheet
Published 11 May 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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What are we going to do?
Ensure the police and courts have the necessary powers to help tackle assaults against retail workers and shop theft. Measures in the Crime and Policing Act 2026:
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(a) Create a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker to protect staff, measure the scale of the problem and drive down retail crime.
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(b) Repeal section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (as inserted by section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014) to ensure that all shop theft is treated with the seriousness it deserves.
How are we going to do it?
Assault against a retail worker
The Act introduces a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker which will have a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and/or an unlimited fine – and upon first conviction, there is a presumption on the courts to impose a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). A CBO prohibits the offender from doing anything described in the order (which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress or preparatory acts which the offending history shows are likely to lead to offences). A CBO could also bar offenders from visiting affected shops or premises.
Tackling low-level shop theft
The Act removes the perceived immunity granted to shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less, by repealing Section 22A of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 and the legislation that inserted it (section 176 of Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).
This will ensure that all offences are tried as ‘general theft’ (an either way offence with a maximum custodial sentence of seven years), instead of summarily in the magistrates’ court, unless the defendant elects for jury trial.
Background
Assault against a retail worker
In response to retail industry data reporting an increase in the frequency and severity of violence and abuse experienced by retail workers, the retail sector has been campaigning for years for the creation of a new offence of assaulting a retail worker – not only to send a strong message that this criminality is not acceptable, but also to ensure data on assaults against retail workers is collected and can be used to influence police activity and response. The Government’s election manifesto included a commitment to create such a bespoke offence.
Tackling low-value shop theft
Section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 provides that shop thefts of £200 or less must be tried summarily in a magistrates’ court unless the defendant elects for jury trial.
This has created a perception that police will not respond to low-value shop theft and offenders will escape punishment.
Key statistics
Retail crime is now 2% lower than the highest on record since 2002/03 when HO counting rules changed (535,724 offences in YE December 2025 compared to 549,053 in YE June 2025), with the latest year showing an overall 1% increase in retail crime in YE December 25 compared to the previous year.[footnote 1]
Under this government, charges for shop theft have risen by 17% in one year alone (up to 116,641 charges).
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Crime Report 2026, reported that only a small proportion of retail crime reaches police.[footnote 2]
However, they reported that violence and abuse against shopworkers has fallen from 2,000 incidents a day to 1,600 for the period September 2024 to August 2025.
There were around 590,000 incidents of violence and abuse in 2024-25, down 20% from 737,000 in 2023-24.
The Association of Convenience Stores Crime Report 2026, which represents smaller and independent stores, estimated around 67,000 incidents of violence in the sector and over 950,000 incidents of verbal abuse over a 12-month period.[footnote 3]
Figures published by the trade union Usdaw in March 2026 stated that 78% of the retail workers they surveyed, stated they had been verbally abused in 2025. 54% received threats of violence and 11% were physically assaulted during the year.[footnote 4]
Frequently asked questions
Assault against a retail worker
Q. Common assault is already an offence. Why are you creating a bespoke offence of assaulting a retail worker?
It is unacceptable that shop theft and violence and abuse towards retail workers continues to rise.
We ask retailers to perform a significant act of public service as they enforce restrictions on the sale of items including cigarettes, alcohol and knives.
This bespoke offence will send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on retail workers are unacceptable and won’t go unpunished.
Upon first conviction, there will be a presumption on the courts to impose a CBO which will prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order and could bar them from visiting affected shops or premises.
This offence will also help ensure assaults on retail workers are separately recorded, so we know the true scale of the problem, enabling the police to respond accordingly.
Q. Retailers experience high volumes of abuse from people who live in the same locality. What can be done to support them?
It is unacceptable that retail workers are subject to violence and abuse. Everybody has a right to feel safe on the job.
In addition to introducing a bespoke offence of assaulting a retail worker, the police also committed in 2023 to prioritise attendance where violence has been used against shopworkers.
The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention will continue to host the Retail Crime Forum to ensure regular engagement with law enforcement and the retail sector and to discuss what more we can do to tackle retail crime, including abuse.
Repealing section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980
Q. Why are you repealing section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 when police have confirmed the £200 threshold does not preclude police action?
The government welcomes the National Police Chiefs’ Council Retail Crime Action Plan, which includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel. Although there are early positive outcomes following the police’s commitment, there is more to be done.
This legislation has meant that offenders and would-be offenders perceive they can get away with shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less.
Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone knows that.
Q. Will repealing the £200 threshold not just add to national criminal justice system backlogs and reduce victim satisfaction?
Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone knows that.
All victims deserve to have a satisfactory outcome when they report a crime, and this government is committed to ensuring victims of crime and persistent anti-social behaviour have the information and support they need.