A specialist police team known as Project Pegasus is to target organised crime gangs who are masters in shoplifting, as violence against shopworkers soars across the UK.
News
Police to target ‘rampant rise in retail crime’ and violence
By
on 17 November 2023
The initiative, known as Pegasus, comes as shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 25 per cent in the past year, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Some 365,164 such offences were recorded in the year to June 2023, up a quarter on the previous 12 months.
Shoplifting is the main trigger for violence and abuse suffered by retail workers, says shop workers’ union, Usdaw. Photograph: iStock
Shoplifting is the main trigger for violence and abuse suffered by retail workers, says shop workers’ union, Usdaw. Results of its interim survey show that in 60 per cent of incidents, shoplifting was a flashpoint for violence or abuse.
Out of 3,082 shop workers it surveyed, 65 per cent had been verbally abused and 43 per cent had been threatened. One in six (17 per cent) of shopworkers had been assaulted during their career and 5 per cent had been assaulted this year.
One anonymous retail worker told Usdaw how they were “pushed and swung at” when they challenged a thief: “A shoplifter punched the window next to me and said it would be my face next time.”
Paul Gerrard, public affairs director of the Co-op, which is helping to fund Pegasus, said: “The Co-op has long called for greater police prioritisation so they tackle the rampant rise in retail crime especially those involving violence or prolific offenders; this is now what happens at present as our colleagues see every day.”
The police have also reaffirmed a pledge to follow up on evidence, such as CCTV or video captured via body worn cameras, which could reasonably lead to catching a perpetrator.
Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said: “I want a new zero-tolerance approach to tackling shoplifting. It is a blight on our highstreets and communities and puts the livelihoods of traders at risk.
"That’s why we’re taking action and bringing together government, policing and business to commit to smarter, more joined up working when it comes to retail crime, which will help to drive down criminal behaviour and rebuild public confidence in the police response when it does occur.”
Police action plan to tackle shoplifting here
NEWS
1 in 3 bosses cite mental ill-health as main driver of staff sickness
By Belinda Liversedge on 30 March 2026
Almost a third (32 per cent) of bosses report stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health problems as a reason staff give for sickness absence.
Mayor pledges 12-month safety overhaul after “appalling” bus driver report
By Belinda Liversedge on 27 March 2026
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is “appalled” by an ITV investigation revealing that nearly one in five bus drivers has fallen asleep at the wheel.
Government pledges £70m to boost Registered Building Inspector workforce
By Belinda Liversedge on 26 March 2026
Up to 700 new Registered Building Inspectors will be trained to inspect high risk buildings thanks to £70 million in funding announced today by the government.