The Crime and Policing Act has received Royal Assent over a year after its first reading, meaning it has now become British law.

The new legislation introduced by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice will result in stronger protection for shopworkers and stores, the government said.
The legislation has removed a £200 threshold for lower-value theft and made the assault of retail workers a specific crime.

Retailers have welcomed the move, with Co-op describing the Act as a potential turning point in efforts to protect frontline staff and reduce crime across high streets and local communities.

The retailer, which has campaigned for stronger protections for more than eight years, said its own data highlights the scale of the issue. At its peak, Co-op reported that three to four colleagues were being attacked or assaulted in stores every day.

Paul Gerrard, director of campaigns, public affairs and policy at Co-op, said that shopworkers have had to tolerate unacceptable levels of theft, abuse and violence for far too long.

“Local shops are an anchor in communities, and that is why Co-op, my colleagues and our members spoke-up, often when others wouldn’t, to clearly say criminal behaviour, violence and abuse should not be part of the job,” he added.

“As we continue to invest significantly in wide-ranging safety and security measures, forge successful partnerships with local police forces and see a significant increase in police attendance, this landmark Bill has the power to drive further sustained change.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting declined by one per cent last year.

Co-op said its overall retail crime levels fell by 21 per cent in 2025, outpacing the national average, while physical attacks on staff dropped by 31 per cent and incidents of antisocial behaviour and abuse declined by 36 per cent.

The retailer attributed these improvements to increased investment in security technology, closer collaboration with police forces, and intelligence-sharing partnerships targeting repeat offenders across different stores.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) estimates there are around 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers every day, alongside 5.5 million thefts annually.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, warned that legal changes alone will not be enough and shop workers should not accept “extraordinary” levels of crime as simply part of the job.

“The BRC, alongside others, has campaigned relentlessly for these changes,” she added. “Stronger laws on assault and theft will send a clear warning to would-be offenders, but laws alone won’t keep retail workers safe.

“Implementation must be swift: the police need to use the full extent of these powers, while stepping up their presence in stores, so that anyone assaulting our colleagues or stealing from stores faces the full force of the law.”

The Act forms part of a broader government push to strengthen policing powers and rebuild trust in the criminal justice system. In addition to the new offence for assaulting shopworkers, police will gain enhanced powers to tackle theft, including the ability to enter premises without a warrant to recover stolen goods, such as items tracked via GPS.

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