Starmer says ‘tide could be turning’ on shoplifting in England and Wales

Keir Starmer has said the “tide could be turning” on shoplifting, pointing to a 17% rise in people charged for what has become a hot political issue. CCTV footage that could be shared immediately with the police should be used more widely, the prime minister said, adding that “the hope of technology” could make a difference. Official figures last year revealed annual shoplifting offences in England and Wales had passed half a million for the first time . “It’s disgraceful that people just working in their shop have to take abuse from customers,” Starmer told a conference of the Usdaw trade union, which represents shopworkers. The Labour leader, whose government is attempting to introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, added: “It’s disgraceful that people feel sick to the stomach thinking about how they’re going to get through the day and it’s disgraceful that people can have their lives and livelihoods ruined by persistent shop theft.” Keir Starmer speaks at the Usdaw conference. The PM said it was ‘disgraceful’ that people’s livelihoods were being ruined by shop theft. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/AFP/ Starmer highlighted the government’s decision to scrap “the ridiculous regulation” where stolen goods worth less than £200 would not be properly investigated. “I’m not blind to how big this challenge is, but the numbers of people charged has gone up by 17%,” he said, referring to figures published last week. “In the latest stats shop theft is down. …