The UK government has introduced new measures to give police and authorities stronger powers in tackling neighbourhood crime, ensuring safer communities and businesses. These changes focus on protecting retail workers, enforcing tougher action on knife crime, addressing antisocial behaviour, and combatting violence against women and girls. At Direct Defence Solutions Limited, we recognise how these changes impact businesses, and we’re committed to helping our clients strengthen their security measures.
Protecting Retail Workers
Retail workers often face verbal and physical abuse, and the government has now introduced new protections, including:
✔ A new offence for assaulting a retail worker – This ensures that shop workers have the legal protection they deserve. Any attack on them will now be treated as a specific criminal offence, increasing accountability.
✔ Stronger penalties for shop theft – Previously, shoplifting of goods worth £200 or less was treated as a minor offence. The removal of this threshold now means that all instances of shop theft will be taken seriously, regardless of value, deterring criminals from targeting retail businesses.
For retail store owners, this shift reinforces the importance of proactive security measures such as manned guarding, CCTV surveillance, and access control systems to prevent incidents before they occur.
Tougher Action on Knife Crime
Knife crime remains a serious issue, particularly in urban areas. To address this, new laws include:
✔ A power to seize, retain, and destroy bladed weapons found on private property – Reducing the number of dangerous weapons in circulation.
✔ Harsher penalties for selling dangerous weapons to under-18s – Businesses that fail to comply will now face stricter legal consequences.
✔ A new offence for carrying a bladed article with intent to cause harm – This ensures that individuals caught with knives in threatening situations can be prosecuted before an attack occurs.
For businesses, particularly those operating late at night, investing in security patrols and trained guards can help prevent knife-related incidents and ensure the safety of staff and customers.
Tackling Antisocial Behaviour
Antisocial behaviour disrupts communities and creates unsafe environments. The new measures include:
✔ Respect Orders – Strengthening police powers to deal with individuals who repeatedly engage in antisocial acts.
✔ Immediate vehicle seizures – Police no longer need to issue a warning before confiscating vehicles, such as off-road bikes, used for reckless or disruptive activities.
✔ Stronger fly-tipping enforcement – Authorities will have clearer guidance and more power to penalise offenders, helping businesses keep their premises clean and secure.
These steps signal a crackdown on disruptive behaviour, but businesses should remain vigilant. Manned guarding services and surveillance systems can help deter antisocial behaviour before it escalates.
Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls
Public safety remains a priority, and new laws aim to provide stronger protections for women and girls, including:
✔ Criminalising the taking or recording of intimate images without consent – A crucial step in protecting privacy and preventing exploitation.
✔ A new offence for spiking – Making it easier to prosecute those who attempt to drug victims.
✔ Releasing the identities of online stalkers to victims – This, alongside stronger stalking protection orders, gives victims more power to protect themselves.
Businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector, must ensure they have effective security measures in place, such as trained staff and surveillance systems, to prevent and respond to such crimes.
What Businesses Should Do Next
With these new powers strengthening law enforcement, businesses must take proactive steps to adapt:
✔ Review security policies and update them to reflect new crime prevention measures.
✔ Upgrade security systems, including CCTV, access control, and alarm systems.
✔ Train employees on crime prevention strategies and emergency responses.
✔ Partner with a trusted security provider like Direct Defence Solutions Limited to implement manned guarding and patrol services for added protection.
At Direct Defence Solutions Limited, we are committed to helping businesses navigate these legal changes and enhance their security. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss how we can protect your business from evolving security threats.