Following concerns expressed at a recent Ashby Town Council meeting about the increase in reported shop lifting, Chris Smith, Leader of the Town Council, went to find out for himself what issues are being faced by shops in the town.

He visited the two Central Co-operative supermarkets, on Market Street and School Lane, to find out about the problems experienced.

Cllr Smith says the big message from both visits was the lengthy process of reporting these crimes to the police, and the lack of timely action when they are reported. 

He added it was obvious that many shoplifting events do not get reported, with persistent offenders knowing that they can get away with it.

Colleagues working in the stores encourage offenders to not steal, but are not directly challenging the offenders. 

After his visit, Cllr Smith said: "I believe that is the right policy. 

"We were told about an incident at another store where a colleague was badly beaten. 

"We cannot expect retail workers to put themselves in harm's way."

At its meeting last month, the Town Council urged Andrew Bridgen MP to support the move in Parliament and to create a standalone offence for assaults on retail workers.

The letter sent to Mr Bridgen said: "By making assault on a retail worker a specific criminal offence that would carry a sentence not exceeding 12 months or a fine of up to £10,000, this amendment will properly and sustainably address the scourge of retail crime where Government inaction has so far failed."

The letter urged Mr Bridgen to support an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill "so that we can properly ensure those workers in stores who for too long have been forced to endure violence, threats and abuse as they go about their work can have the adequate protection they desperately need."

To date, the Town Council has not had a response from Mr Bridgen.

Labour's election candidate Amanda Hack, also spoke out against violence towards retail staff in supermarkets earlier this week.