Sir Keir Starmer will set out new plans to crack down on retail crime, promising to call time on the shop theft “free-for-all”.

Speaking on Monday, the prime minister will hit out at “disgraceful” attempts to “cheat the system” through high street shoplifting , saying the government has put an extra 3,000 neighbourhood police officers on the streets.

The government has scrapped the effective immunity for thieves stealing goods worth less than £200. Meanwhile, ministers are also attempting to introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker in the Crime and Policing Bill going through Parliament.

But the two Houses of Parliament are currently in a tussle over the final draft of the Bill as the end of the parliamentary session nears.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will promise to crack down on shoplifting (PA Wire)

Sir Keir is expected to say: “Working people – grafters – go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving and yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people…