Keir Starmer has declared that police are 'turning the tide' on Britain's shoplifting epidemic, as he voiced fury over the threats and violence faced by retail staff. Addressing the USDAW trade union conference on Monday, the Prime Minister read out a harrowing letter from a shop worker who suffered vile racist abuse.
Starmer's Pledge to Protect Shop Workers
Speaking to delegates, Starmer said it is disgraceful that shop workers 'feel sick to their stomach' about going to work, and pledged stronger protection. He highlighted a letter from a woman named Finnola, who was racially abused while working at a supermarket. 'A few years ago, I was verbally abused by a customer when I asked if he needed assistance. He started shouting racist remarks at me. And he threatened to go after my children. I felt so scared, my legs were shaking,' the letter read.
Starmer told Finnola, who was watching the conference: 'What you went through was really awful. But the really important thing is - we heard you.'
Drop in Shoplifting Cases
The Prime Minister pointed to new data from the Office for National Statistics, which showed a 1% fall in shoplifting cases in 2025 after record highs. However, nearly 510,000 incidents were still recorded in just 12 months. Home Office figures also revealed a 17% increase in the charge rate for shoplifting suspects, which officials attribute to increased town centre patrols.
'I’m not blind to how big this challenge is,' Starmer said. 'But the number of people charged has gone up by 17% in the latest stats. Shop theft is down – it’s only slightly down, but the tide could be turning.'
New Laws and Technology
Starmer highlighted new laws going through Parliament that would make abusing and assaulting retail workers a specific crime. He also noted that better use of technology has enabled some police forces to double the number of shoplifters charged. 'We’re not going to fob you off with half-measures,' he told delegates.
