Retail groups give cautious welcome to increased police funding in spending review

As part of her spending review this week, Reeves’ committed to a £2bn increase for the police, which will support the recruitment of 13,000 more officers. 

British Retail Consortium director of business and regulation Tom Ironside said: “With the huge rise in retail theft and the continued impact of violence and abuse on retail colleagues, we welcome the announcement.

“The chancellor wants people to feel safer on their high street, and it is vital that some of the additional policing resources are focused on addressing both violence and abuse in retail, with over 2,000 incidents every day, and shoplifting, which costs retailers and their customers over £4bn a year.”

However, High Streets UK chair Dee Corsi struck a cautious tone and said: “Today’s announcement of increased police funding is headline-grabbing, but the detail tells a different story. With the Home Office budget squeezed in the coming years, it’s hard to see how this will deliver the additional on-the-ground policing that our high streets so urgently need.

“The chancellor must now go further with her ‘place-based’ approach to delivering safer high streets, taking action so that city centre, flagship high streets – important drivers of growth, jobs and local pride – are not left behind.

“From Birmingham to the West End, flagship high streets are economic and cultural centres, generating over £50bn a year. Despite this, they continue to face complex challenges around crime and antisocial behaviour.

“We are calling for ring-fenced funding for visible policing at these nationally significant locations, stronger deterrents for prolific offenders, a multi-agency approach to organised crime, and a national reporting framework to bolster business confidence.