Sir Gavin Williamson is calling for the Government to drastically look at legislation surrounding retail crime after meeting with a business owner in Great Haywood.
Narinder Randhawa, who owns the Spar in Great Haywood, told Sir Gavin about instances where individuals have stolen items, intimidated staff, and damaged goods inside the store but later received fines of less than £200 despite causing thousands of pounds of losses for the business.
Retail crime in the UK has reached record highs, with figures suggesting 519,000 shop theft offences recorded in the year up to September 2025. Incidents, including violence against staff have surged, leading to over £2.2 billion in losses.
Sir Gavin is calling for the Government to urgently remove the current £200 threshold for shoplifting, which means that thefts under that value are treated as summary-only offences and not prioritised by police. As well as retail crime, Sir Gavin and Narinder discussed rises in National Insurance, Minimum Wage, and how business rates support does not extend to retail.
Narinder said: “I was pleased to meet Sir Gavin Williamson and discuss very frankly how worrying the business environment is. My business has been hit by rising costs and occasional incidents of retail crime, causing thousands of pounds of damage. I am glad Sir Gavin listened – I look forward to his support in the future.”
Sir Gavin said: “The rise in retail crime is an epidemic that is damaging trust in communities and causing severe consequences for small business owners. I was alarmed to hear of how Narinder has been affected by retail crime including loss of revenue as well as having to deal with abuse and violent threats.
“I am urging the Government to ensure that legislation reflects the severity that these offences can cause – particularly small businesses who find it incredibly difficult to absorb the losses that this criminal activity causes.
“Also, the Government must listen to small businesses and urgently reform business rates as well as reversing the damaging measures announced in the recent budget that are strangling growth, causing businesses to close, and affecting the local economy.
“I will continue to champion small businesses across Staffordshire and be their voice in urging the Government to change course.”
