The UK has introduced new legislation aimed at tackling rising levels of retail crime, as industry leaders warn that violence, abuse and theft in stores have reached unprecedented levels.

The Crime and Policing Act has now received Royal Assent, prompting strong reactions from the retail sector, which has long called for tougher measures against shoplifting UK and assaults on staff.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has described the reform as a significant moment in efforts to address retail theft and violence, but says enforcement will be critical to its success.

Rising retail crime pressures stores

Retailers across the UK are reporting sustained increases in shoplifting and abuse against staff, placing pressure on operations and workforce safety.

According to industry figures cited by the BRC, there are around 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every day in UK stores, alongside approximately 5.5 million thefts each year.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said the situation can no longer be normalised within the sector: “The extraordinary levels of retail crime cannot be accepted as simply part of the job.”

The rise in UK retail crime has been linked by industry groups to broader challenges including organised theft, repeat offending and increased aggression towards frontline workers.

New Crime and Policing Act response

The Crime and Policing Act introduces tougher legal measures intended to address retail crime more directly, including stronger provisions related to assault and theft in retail environments.

Dickinson said the legislation represents “a long-overdue turning point in the fight against retail crime.” She added that the BRC and other organisations had “campaigned relentlessly for these changes.”

The retail body has welcomed the legal overhaul but stressed that legislation alone will not resolve the issue. Industry leaders argue that consistent policing and visible enforcement in stores will determine whether the new framework has a practical impact.

Enforcement and policing focus

Retail groups are now urging rapid implementation of the new powers, with a particular focus on police presence in retail locations. The BRC says that offenders must face clear consequences to deter further incidents of theft and violence.

Dickinson highlighted the need for operational enforcement alongside legal change, stating that “what matters now is consistent, visible police enforcement so colleagues can genuinely feel safe and protected at work.”

The organisation has called for police forces to use the full extent of the new powers and increase engagement with retailers to ensure the measures translate into improved safety on the ground.

For international retailers and global supply chain stakeholders, the UK’s response to retail crime reflects a broader trend in many markets, where rising store-level theft and staff abuse are driving tighter legal and policing frameworks.