M&S chief executive Thinus Keeve has called for increased action to combat crime and abuse against retail staff, following an incident where one of the company's stores was targeted during recent disorder in south London.

Keeve's comments come as retailers face ongoing challenges with shoplifting and staff safety concerns. The retail executive has reportedly advocated for enhanced security measures to protect store workers from increasing incidents of theft and abuse.

The call for action coincides with the implementation of new government legislation that will reduce the use of short prison sentences. The new laws eliminate most prison sentences under one year in length, which critics suggest could affect how repeat shoplifting offenders are handled by the justice system.

According to estimates, the sentencing changes could potentially allow thousands of repeat offenders to avoid imprisonment, though the exact impact on retail crime rates remains to be seen.

The retail sector has increasingly raised concerns about rising theft and violence against staff, with some industry leaders calling for additional security measures and stronger deterrents to protect both employees and customers in stores across the UK.