In a letter to the Home Secretary today, City MP Stephen Morgan called for greater action from the Government to tackle the shoplifting crisis, which is putting shopworkers in Portsmouth at risk.
It comes as the latest British Crime Survey (BCS) which revealed more than 850 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers every day, and a more recent survey finding theft had risen by a further 27% across 10 of the UK’s largest cities, including Portsmouth.
Data provided by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has also shown that reported incidents between April and September have nearly doubled since last year.
Mr Morgan joins the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) in calling for greater action from the Government. With no mention of shoplifting in the Home Secretary’s conference speech, the Portsmouth South MP said that the Government is not treating the issue with the seriousness it deserves.
Commenting Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Shoplifting in Portsmouth and across the country has reached crisis point, with criminals being able to act with impunity due to this Government’s inaction.
That’s why I’m calling on the Home Secretary to provide assurances she will engage with the concerns raised by the BSC and USDAW and will act as swiftly as possible to tackle this crisis with the urgency it deserves.
Labour will work with others keeping people safe in their work, building on the campaign to protect shop workers from violence at work. The Home Secretary should do the same.”
You can read the letter in full here.
Mr Morgan has provided strong backing to USDAW throughout their campaign to protect shop workers from abuse, making several parliamentary interventions to hold the Government to account. He has been listening to concerns locally, meeting with local police and retailers and meeting with shop workers to hear concerns.
