Overview
- Co-op, which confirmed Wednesday it runs a no-challenge rule, says the aim is to keep store teams safe from violence.
- Workers report they have been warned that laying a finger on a thief could lead to dismissal, and say repeat offenders now target stores.
- Retailer-reported shoplifting rose by about 3.7 million to 20.4 million incidents in the 12 months to September, with industry estimates of roughly 55,000 thefts a day and £2.2 billion in losses.
- Usdaw says nearly 1,000 shopworkers reported attacks last year, with thousands more threatened or abused when thefts occur.
- The issue has drawn political comment, with Kemi Badenoch urging people to judge their own safety, and some reports say other chains such as Waitrose have given similar non-intervention guidance.