Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with retailers on the potential impact of recent trends in the level of retail crime and shoplifting.

The Government recognises the importance of close partnership with the retail sector in tackling retail crime. Home Office Ministers and officials, regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including major nationwide retailers, trade associations, security providers policing partners, and other law enforcement agencies through forums such as the Retail Crime Forum and wider bilateral engagement. The most recent Retail Crime Forum meeting was held on 17 March, chaired by Ministers, it supports this oongoing dialogue and ensures that industry expertise informs our approach and ensures we understand the needs of all retailers to prevent and reduce retail crime.