Crimes of Violence: Retail Trade

Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the incidence of physical violence against retailers in  the last 12 months; what representations she has received on the subject; and what steps she intends to take to reduce the levels of physical violence against retailers.

Mr. Coaker
Figures on physical violence against retailers are not available from the recorded crime series as no details of the victim’s employment are recorded.

We are aware of the concerns of retailers and retail organisations about threats and actual violence against shop staff and we are fully committed to working with them, both through the National Retail Crime Steering Group and through other means, to address these concerns.

We also support Usdaw’s ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign and the Union has been invited to nominate a representative to attend future meetings of the National Retail Crime Steering Group.