Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed today’s (26 October) introduction of Respect Orders, a new civil behavioural order introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Act 2026. The union sees the orders as a key measure to help stem what it describes as the epidemic of retail crime.
Respect Orders explained
Respect Orders allow courts to restrict or require specific actions from adults to prevent anti-social behaviour, with breach treated as a criminal offence. The orders may prohibit specified behaviours and/or require the respondent to undertake positive actions like rehabilitation and engagement with services. Conditions must avoid interfering with work, education, or conflicting court orders.
Last week’s crime statistics showed that theft from shops remains on a downward trend, but still more than double the levels seen during Covid.
Union calls for retail worker protection
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said: “We have campaigned, along with many retail employers, for substantial legislative measures to combat shop crime and we are pleased that the Government passed the Crime and Policing Act in April.
“The Act delivers new Respect Orders for offenders, starting today, which is welcome and we hope they will be successful in changing the criminal behaviour that is blighting our shops and communities.
“The Act also included a much-needed protection of retail workers law, which still needs to be brought into force and we urge Ministers to do that as soon as possible.
“Retail crime remains at epidemic levels with over half a million shop theft incidents recorded, although levels have declined slightly over the last nine months. This is not a victimless crime.
“Dealing with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers on the frontline.
“It is our hope that these new measures will help turn the tide on shop theft and give retail staff the safe working environment they deserve.”
