John Lewis Chairwoman, Sharon White, calls for government action on rising shoplifting incidents.
- Incidents of theft are increasing, with Waitrose particularly affected by organised crime and antisocial behaviour.
- Shop workers in Scotland have legal protection from abuse, highlighting disparities in legislation.
- Threats with weapons have been reported, although no serious staff injuries have occurred.
- Sharon White advocates for visible police presence to deter crime.
John Lewis Chairwoman Sharon White has publicly urged the government to address the escalating issue of theft affecting retailers. She has called for tougher legislation, particularly in England, to provide better protection for store employees similar to that in Scotland, where laws specifically protect workers from abuse and assaults.
The growing concern stems from a noticeable increase in shoplifting incidents at Waitrose, a company within the John Lewis partnership. These incidents often involve organised gangs, as well as a rise in antisocial behaviour. Despite the severity of the situation, there have been no reports of serious injuries to staff, although threats involving weapons have been documented.
The British Retail Consortium supports White’s call, noting that assaults on Waitrose employees have approximately doubled since 2020. Additionally, incidences of verbal abuse and antisocial behaviour have risen by 20%, with an alarming 850 cases of abuse against store staff occurring each day.
White emphasises the need for serious consideration of these crimes, as the financial burden of theft ultimately impacts customers. She argues for the importance of local police presence, asserting that it makes a significant difference when officers are actively engaged in addressing these crimes.
In a show of support for law enforcement, the retailer has launched a ‘thanks a latte’ initiative, which offers free coffees to police officers visiting Waitrose or John Lewis stores with a reusable cup.
The pressing need for legislative reform and proactive policing is clear as retailers and workers face increasing challenges from organised crime and abuse.
