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Shopworkers facing ‘epidemic’ of retail crime eager for Labour to tackle shoplifting, Usdaw says
A shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket

SHOPWORKERS are eager for the Labour government to deliver on its promises to tackle the growing “epidemic” of retail crime, Usdaw said today.

General secretary Paddy Lillis’s comments followed a former £300-a-day shoplifter telling the BBC how he “stole to order” from shops every day to supply other businesses in the Leeds area.

Mr Lillis said that a 30 per cent increase in shoplifting in the last year was “further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.”

A spokeswoman added: “We will introduce a new specific offence for assaulting retail workers, ensuring they are protected from abuse and violence, and will end the effective immunity for shoplifting of goods under £200 to remove the perception that those committing low-value shop theft will escape punishment.”

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