Police urged to crack down on violence against retail workers amid record shoplifting offences

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Police are being urged to take tougher action against attacks on retail workers amid record levels of theft and violence against shop staff. Prof Taylor said: “The police in England and Wales have lost grip on the scale and severity of acquisitive crime, and, in turn, retailers have lost confidence in them and the wider criminal justice system. “By taking decisive action to tackle high-volume, high-impact retail crime, the police and retail industry can work together to create safer communities in which to live, work and shop.” Assaults at Co-op increased by a third to more than 1,300 last year Office for National Statistics data published last month showed that the number of shoplifting offences logged last year soared to their highest level since records began two decades ago. “More police action is needed as without an effective deterrent, criminals will continue to steal with impunity.” The government previously said it was committed to tackling shoplifting and violence against retail workers.