"One member of our staff got attacked the other week and he was bleeding"
Shopkeepers across the West Midlands have welcomed new government measures aimed at tackling shoplifting and protecting businesses from persistent offenders.
The region is among 16 police force areas selected for a 12-month government pilot targeting some of the country’s most prolific retail criminals.
The £2.5 million scheme will focus on approximately 500 repeat offenders believed to be responsible for a disproportionate amount of shop theft.
Under the proposed measures, offenders could face restrictions on their movements, including GPS tagging and bans from high streets.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said a small number of individuals were responsible for a significant proportion of shoplifting incidents.
She said: “They wreak havoc on our high streets, leave businesses out of pocket and make retail workers scared to go to work.”
The pilot will also examine the underlying causes of offending, including drug and alcohol addiction, alongside enforcement measures.
Alex Goss, lead for retail crime at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, welcomed the initiative, saying it would provide additional support to tackle persistent offenders affecting businesses, workers and communities.
In Birmingham, independent retailers say the impact of shoplifting is particularly difficult for smaller businesses to manage.
Amjad Farook, who runs Wah Wah Mirchi grocery store, said his business was losing thousands of pounds, with thieves targeting the premises weekly.
He explained that stolen items ranged from expensive products to everyday groceries, including butter and spices.
Farook said he advised employees against physically confronting suspected shoplifters, although incidents could sometimes become violent.
He said: “One member of our staff got attacked the other week and he was bleeding; it wasn’t a nice thing. It is a worrying thought for my staff.”
He added that police support was no longer as immediate as it had previously been, with businesses often advised to report incidents and obtain crime reference numbers.
Mani Gill, vice-chair of the Soho Road Business Improvement District, said shoplifting had become a daily problem for traders.
He explained that smaller independent businesses were less financially equipped to absorb losses compared with larger retailers.
Gill also highlighted the importance of addressing the reasons behind theft, particularly as households continue to face financial pressures.
He said:
“I do think that people are getting more desperate.”
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts described retail crime as a “national emergency”, calling for stronger action from the government and police.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, also welcomed the pilot, supporting enforcement alongside measures addressing the causes of offending.
The initiative aims to improve safety for retail workers while reducing repeated theft across affected communities.
For independent traders across Birmingham, the measures represent a welcome opportunity to tackle persistent theft, protect livelihoods and restore confidence in their local high streets.
