Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill will be put before parliament today (February 25); the Bill includes tougher laws on retail crime.
The Government’s bill contains over 50 measures including stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and making it a new offence to assault a shop worker.
It is also hoping to introduce new “Respect Orders”, which are reminiscent of the Anti-social Behaviour Orders introduced by the last Labour Government – they were abolished in 20214.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For too long communities have had to put up with rising town centre and street crime, and persistent antisocial behaviour, while neighbourhood police have been cut.
“And for years too little has been done to tackle the most serious violence of all including knife crime and violence against women and children.
“That is why the new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.”
The current laws deprioritise shoplifting theft under £200 and make it a summary only offence, meaning it can only be heard in magistrates court.
Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Labour had 14 years to come up with new ideas – but all they have done is copied and pasted what the last government had already announced.
“Labour’s funding settlement next year for police forces leaves them £118m short after accounting for salary rises, inflation and the national insurance hike – putting 1,800 police officers at risk.
“Police forces are warning that this will get worse this year due to Labour’s inadequate funding settlement.”
