The British Retail Consortium calculates losses at £1.8bn stolen each year, with a further £700m spent on extra security.

Dame Diana will say: “Retail workers were on the front line. They saw record levels of shoplifting with their own eyes. They faced the wave of abuse, threats and violence. It has to stop.

“The the era of criminals acting with impunity, built during years of Conservative rule, is over. This is a government committed to our mission for safer streets, safer communities and a safer Britain, and we have a plan to get there.”

Dame Diana said the Government remained committed to recruiting a further 13,000 wards police officers.

Labor said this would restore warranted patrols at retail hotspots and ensure traders and retail staff have a named officer to call on for help.