Liberal Democrats back Fed Proposal on Retail Security Grants

23/12/2025

The Liberal Democrats have highlighted concerns about retail crime and backed Fed proposals to introduce a grant and loan scheme to help small retail businesses enhance their security in response to rising retail crime, following meetings with the Fed.

Sarah Olney, Lib Dem Business Spokesperson and MP for Richmond Park in South West London, spoke with the Fed’s National President, Hetal Patel, and other senior officials on 28^th October (Url for hyperlink: https://thefedonline.com/media/sarah-olney-mp-the-fed/) . During the meeting, they discussed retail crime as well as a recent meeting with Hetal Patel’s MP, and Olney’s colleague, Joshua Reynolds MP, at his business in Maidenhead on October 24^th (Url for hyperlink: https://thefedonline.com/homepage/national-president-retailer-concerns-local-mp/).

Reported in the Telegraph on 21^st December, Olney said: “The shoplifting epidemic is a profound threat to our local businesses, our high streets and our economy. With over 800 offences going unpunished every single day, businesses are haemorrhaging money, driving up costs for consumers and even forcing businesses to shut their doors for good. That’s why we’re calling for a mass CCTV rollout, to give the businesses the tools they need to protect themselves and tackle this crime once and for all.”

Josh Reynolds, the Lib Dem trade spokesman and a former retail worker, said to the Telegraph: “This Christmas, thousands of dedicated shop staff will be left in fear, dreading their shifts as a result of facing potential abuse or even violence from thieves… As a result of so many shoplifting cases being left unsolved, staff are being forced to intervene, even putting themselves in danger to protect their businesses. So many small businesses put their blood, sweat and tears into their products, only to have them taken away by this careless crime.”

The Fed’s National President, said: “The meetings we had in October with Liberal Democrat MPs Joshua Reynolds and Sarah Olney were very positive and we are pleased that they are taking some of our ideas forward at a national level. We look forward to working with them again in the new year.”