Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has responded to a report which shows that reported cases of shoplifting have doubled in the town over the past 12 months.

Monday's planning committee meeting heard that instances of 28 in 2022, had risen to 56 in 2023.

It was also noted that a number of incidents go unreported.

But it was also highlighted that shop thefts often act as trigger points for violence directed towards retail staff.

As a result, the Town Council has written to North West Leicestershire MP, Andrew Bridgen, asking him to support changes proposed to the Criminal Justice Bill.

This would make an 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.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council leader, Cllr Chris Smith. Photo: Supplied

Ashby Town Council leader, Cllr Chris Smith, told the committee: "We have a report this evening that shows that reported shoplifting in the town centre has doubled over the last 12 months.  

"As well as this, we know that many incidents go unreported.

"We also don't know how many of these are associated with assault, threats or abuse to retail workers, but we are very keen to support our retail workers.  

"We can do that by lobbying to increase the penalties to try and deter incidents from happening.

"That is why I am encouraging the Council to write to our MP encouraging him to support a new clause to the Criminal Justice Bill, creating a standalone offence of assaults on retail workers.

"We have had reports from the police this evening stating that they are never going to have the resources to deter this type of crime by their physical presence.  

"We need to play our part by trying to strengthen the penalties and supporting our retail workers."

The letter from the Town Council to Mr Bridgen reads: "Retail Crime is a blight on our high streets which has a severe cost not only on the retailers who are subject to it, but also shopworkers who are all too often on the frontline of this crisis. The reported instances of shoplifting in Ashby de la Zouch town centre has doubled over the last year (28 in 2022 and 56 in 2023). 

Alongside the increased instances of shop theft, it is the violence, threats and abuse directed towards retail staff which is most damaging. Too often, instances of theft and retail crime act as trigger points for violence directed towards retail staff. 

The British Retail Consortium estimated there were 850 assaults on shop staff a day in 2021-22. Sadly, this shocking increase has not been met with the response from Government to adequately tackle the problem and protect retail workers, and urgent action is needed. That's why, we are asking you to support changes proposed to the Criminal Justice Bill that will bring forward the required action to support retail workers. 

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen. Photo: BBC

Whilst previous legislative changes such as those in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act have been brought forward but ultimately proved insufficient, the proposed New Clause 41 to the Criminal Justice Bill will introduce a standalone offence for assaults on retail workers which mirrors that already introduced in Scotland where it is clear it is making a difference for shopworkers, shops and the communities both serve. 

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. 

We, therefore, ask you to support this amendment at the Bill's Report Stage, 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. 

We would be grateful for a response to understand whether you intend to support the amendment and protect shopworkers."