GOVERNMENT dither and delay over shopping crime has led to thousands of workers suffering physical and mental injuries, Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis says.

The shopworkers’ union leader criticised ministers yesterday for acting too late to introduce a standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker despite soaring levels of violence in recent years.

An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill tabled by government fell when the general election was called.

Mr Lillis said: “In stark contrast, Labour is committed to deliver a much-needed protection of shopworkers law, end the perverse £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters — which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals — and provide more uniformed officers patrolling shopping areas, along with town-centre banning orders for repeat offenders.

“Shopworkers need the respect that they have long deserved and, regrettably, do not receive.”

Figures published last month showed the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales had risen to a 20-year high.