The Co-op has urged communities Cumbrians write to the region’s police, fire and crime commissioners (PFCC) candidates and call on them to commit to a crack-down on criminals.

The retail industry has seen an ‘unprecedented’ rise in retail crime, according to the Co-op driven by repeat and prolific offenders, and ahead of the PCC elections on May 2 Co-op is urging shop workers and communities to write to PCC candidates in the region and call on them to commit to fully implement the commitments in the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Retail Crime Action Plan and ensure the new stand-alone offence of assault against a shopworker is enforced and progress is reported through their police and crime plan.

Co-op colleagues and member-owners have campaigned for six years to call for change following ‘unprecedented’ levels of retail crime, attacks and assaults, as criminals acted with impunity and seemingly free from fear of any consequences.

Last October saw the launch of NPCC’s Retail Crime Action plan, which outlined an intention to ensure police attendance at serious incidents and that all evidence is collected so that every reasonable line of enquiry is followed.

Then earlier this month the Government announced plans to make assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales – providing shop workers with the protection they deserve and sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour.

Paul Gerrard, Co-op Director of Campaign and Public Affairs, said: ”Retail crime impacts shopworkers both physically and mentally, with many communities blighted by the unacceptable levels of persistent and prolific offending.

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“Newly elected PCCs have the opportunity to crack-down on this crime through the implementation of the Retail Crime Action Plan and by enforcing the new standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker - we are calling on the next PCCs to deliver the protection that those working in retail and, serving communities in towns, villages and cities across the region deserve.”

All the PFCC candidates have promised more neighbourhood policing if they win the election which they say will help to lower anti-social behaviour and crime.