Concerns shoplifting is 'out-of-control' across Staffordshire and Cheshire

MPs are being urged to toughen up the law fast after concerns grow that shoplifting across Staffordshire and Cheshire is now an 'out-of-control epidemic'.

The push is on ministers to see through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill making the assault or abuse of a retail worker a specific standalone offence, to help police regain its grip on the issue.

Between January and September last year police in Staffordshire recorded 5739 offences involving shoplifting taking place. It was a similar picture in Cheshire at 5593.

Co-op stores across the UK are also reporting huge concerns.

Over the last year their stores experienced more than a third of a million incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour, a rise of 44% on the year before. That is about 1,000 incidents every day across its 2,400 stores.

ONS figures show shoplifting is up by almost a third

"You've got your professional shoplifters. You're got your opportunist's. You've got your young kids. You've got so many people that'll shoplift." said one retail shopworker in Castle Walk, Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.

Speaking exclusively to Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire News, she said: "Newcastle, we're a small town but we are affected by it. We have seen a spike since the cost of living crisis.

"Some are quite bold. You've got to have a thick skin, but it really is part of every day life, especially in the cost of living crisis. You get more opportunists that try it because they just can't afford."

"We've got a couple that come in here which when you start talking to them they won't do anything they just leave. There's another - one in particular that you've got to keep an eye one. She does buy, but if she gets that opportunity she will take.

A concerning year throughout 2023

More than a third of a million incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence, and anti-social behaviour in co-op stores in 2023

1,325 physical assaults in 2023 against store workers – up 34% on year before

More than 40,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour and abuse – up 37% on year before

70% of shop theft is committed by frequent users of Class A drugs who are stealing to fund a drug addition

In November 2023, Policing Minister, Chris Philip MP, announced a new Retail Crime Action Plan which promised to directly address the problem, ensuring that police attend and investigate more incidents.

Unions and the Co-op are now encouraging members, employees, and customers to write to MPs to ask them to back the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, and not turn their backs on shopworkers

The retail worker in Newcastle-under-Lyme added: "Often if you kill them with kindness, if they know you've seen them, they won't attempt.

"Any opportunity they get they will try."

Hear the latest news from across Staffordshire and Cheshire on the hour, every hour, on 102.6FM, 96.9FM & 96.4FM. You can also listen on DAB, smart speaker, at signal1.co.uk and on the Signal 1 app