£200 Theft Limit Scrapped: How the 2025 Crime Bill Changes Retail Security

Fahrenheit Security
Oct 6
4 min read

Why are retailers facing more theft and violence than ever before?

Retailers across the United Kingdom are experiencing a rise in shoplifting and incidents of staff abuse. So, what's causing this spike in retail crime? Over 500000 thefts were reported within a year, and about 2000 retail staff are abused or threatened daily. This surge is partly due to past rules that made some offences too minor to pursue.

Offenders exploited the 200 pound shoplifting limit, often walking away without consequence. Police response times have lagged, and public attitudes toward shoplifting have become more relaxed. These issues have created a climate where shoplifting is seen as a low risk crime, leading to more repeat offences and a breakdown in store security and staff confidence. The soft target perception of retailers has encouraged public shoplifting trends, further challenging loss prevention teams.

What does the 2025 Crime and Policing Bill change for retailers?

This legislation has brought in two major changes. It removes the 200 pound shoplifting limit and introduces a new offence for abusing shop workers.

Previously, thefts under 200 pounds were rarely prosecuted, leading to a cycle of minor but repeated offences. Now, all thefts are treated seriously, no matter the value. At the same time, staff who face threats or violence are protected by a specific law that targets abuse in retail settings.

Retailers are now better equipped to report incidents. Police are expected to attend, and the Crown Prosecution Service is more likely to follow through. These changes help reduce the view that retail crime is not worth addressing and boost staff confidence in the justice system. This also supports a wider shift in policing retail crime, signalling that even low level theft will be met with a formal response.

How does scrapping the 200 pound threshold affect retail security?

Shops now treat all thefts as prosecutable and this has led to changes in how store security teams operate. Staff are being retrained to document every theft with proper evidence. Stores are revising their loss prevention policies, ensuring they include steps like logging CCTV footage and taking clear witness statements. This helps support prosecutions more effectively.

Police are now more willing to act on minor thefts, so shops are building stronger links with local officers. These changes support long term strategies that focus on preventing repeat offences and improving safety for staff and customers alike. Reporting shoplifting UK wide will now carry more weight in terms of police attention and follow up. A revised retail offender strategy supported by a clear retail enforcement policy will reinforce deterrents and boost successful outcomes.

What new protection do shop workers now have under the law?

Threatening or attacking a retail worker is now recognised as a separate criminal offence. This gives retail teams better support and helps employers respond with clear policies.

Stores are issuing body worn cameras and many are updating training materials so staff know how to record and report incidents properly. Video evidence and written statements are now a key part of building a strong case. Police incident reporting codes have also been updated to reflect this new offence.

Having clear policies and staff training in place ensures employees feel safer and more confident when dealing with difficult situations in store.

Staff training checklist

To help protect employees and comply with the 2025 law changes, retailers should ensure training includes:

How to recognise abusive or violent behaviour
How to use body worn cameras and record events clearly
Incident reporting steps and escalation procedures
When and how to contact police or security
Guidance on de escalation techniques
Understanding what qualifies as assault under new law
Rights and responsibilities when dealing with offenders
Completing detailed and accurate witness statements

What role do security guards play under the new law?

Security guards now play a much more involved role in dealing with incidents and supporting law enforcement. Their job is not just to watch over the store. Guards now gather evidence, report incidents, contact police and support investigations from start to finish.

Security Industry Authority licensed guards are receiving fresh training that reflects these new expectations. Their responsibilities now include properly detaining suspects, sharing video or written reports with police and helping store teams follow new incident protocols.

When guards are well prepared, shops can prevent more thefts and respond quickly to serious incidents. Their presence acts as a deterrent and gives staff reassurance.

Will the new law actually work in practice?

The law gives retailers stronger tools, but there are still obstacles. Police staffing shortages and court backlogs mean some cases may be delayed or dismissed. These delays affect how useful the law can be in practice. The ongoing legal backlog and prosecution gap create an enforcement deficit that undermines swift justice.

To overcome this, stores must provide solid evidence and follow proper procedures. Keeping detailed logs, clear statements and video records will help build stronger cases.

Retailers must also stay patient and persistent. Even with delays, good preparation can lead to better outcomes and help close the gap between store incidents and legal action.

How should retailers and security teams respond in 2025?

To make the most of the new law, retailers should:

Update store policies so staff know how the law works
Train security and loss prevention teams on the new rules
Use body worn cameras and accurate report logs
Build strong working relationships with police teams
Make sure all incident reports are detailed and easy to understand

By following this action plan, stores can respond more effectively to retail crime and improve staff safety. A clear retail compliance plan UK, combined with an updated security partnership strategy, will help retailers remain aligned with legal expectations and better support enforcement.