The Federation of Independent Retailers (Fed) has said new measures to tackle assaults and theft in shops “are welcome and long overdue”.

The Crime and Policing Bill, which was put before Parliament this week, is part of what the government calls its ‘safer streets’ plan.

The bill includes the introduction of a standalone offence for assaulting a shopworker and scrapping a 2014 law that classified shoplifting of items worth under £200 as less serious than other retail theft – making them less of a priority for the police, the Fed said.

Announcing the latest measures to tackle retail crime, home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.”

The Fed’s national president Mo Razzaq added: “For far too long, the failure to protect retailers and shop staff has undermined confidence in both the police and the criminal justice system.

“The refusal to attend incidents that are deemed as low value or to have measured insufficient ‘threat’ levels have left retailers frustrated, as repeat offenders seem to steal and threaten with impunity.

“This new bill is a step in the right direction. What we need to see now is real action to stem the rising tide of crime against retailers and their staff.”

The Home Office said the bill’s aims will be delivered by recruiting 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers by 2029 – and the department has pledged £200m towards this goal.