Parliamentary Reception Highlighting the Impact of Retail Crime Shows High Level of Support for Retailers

A reception in Parliament hosted by Ian Paisley MP alongside the British Independent Retail Association has shown the depth of feeling there is for retailers that deal with this issue day to day.

Following on from a question asked by Mr Paisley in Prime Ministers Question Time earlier that day, when Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP gave his assurance to the House of Commons and retailers alike that he expects a through and zero tolerance response from the police on the issue, MPs stood firm alongside a number of senior police officers and retailers to sign a pledge that they “support all retailers in their fight against shop theft and violence against shop workers’.

Ian Paisley MP commented that: “It is good to see so many people who are willing to stand up and be counted on this issue. This reception, and the APPG for retail crime, safe and sustainable high streets meeting which will take place after it are key in bringing people together to work strategically in this issue. The work that has been done on this issue so far has been good at helping ensure this issue remains in the public eye. Now we need to make sure all police forces have zero tolerance, and that sentences fit the crime”.

Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retail Association commented: “We are grateful to all those who support our retailers.  Independent retailers especially do not have the resilience to cope with the pressures this crime puts on their business, and they should not have to”.