CO-OP is urging residents to write to Dorset’s police and crime commissioners calling on them to crack down on retail crime. 

According to bosses at the shop, the retail industry has seen an “unprecedented” rise in retail crime driven by repeat and prolific offenders. 

Co-op workers have campaigned for six years to call for change following attacks and assaults, as criminals acted with “impunity and seemingly free from fear of any consequences”, Co-op said. 

Paul Gerrard, Co-op's director of campaign and public affairs, said: “Retail crime impacts shopworkers both physically and mentally, with many communities blighted by the unacceptable levels of persistent and prolific offending.  

“Newly elected PCCs have the opportunity to crack-down on this crime through the implementation of the Retail Crime Action Plan and by enforcing the new standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker - we are calling on the next PCCs to deliver the protection that those working in retail and, serving communities in towns, villages and cities across the region deserve.” 

Earlier this year, Co-op revealed that retail crime had hit record levels nationwide. 

Dorset’s PCC candidates are David Sidwick, David Stokes, Marianne Storey and Howard Legg.