3 minute read
Cover Story
by 55 North
RETAIL VIOLENCE
Confronting crime
The retail sector has been calling for the government to make it an offence to assault shopworkers for a number of years.
The government is to table an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will make it an offence to assault shopworkers.
In a letter to members of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, to which the ACS and NFRN belong, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “This amendment will send a very strong
signal that assaults of this kind are totally unacceptable. This government wants to ensure that retail staff and those who are serving the public can feel protected from abuse when working. It will reinforce in statute the seriousness with which the courts should treat these offences.”
He added: “This legislative change recognises the very strong public and Parliamentary feeling about assaults against public-facing workers, and builds on the important work already under way by this group to ensure that assaults are not seen as part of a retail worker’s job.”
In response, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “Introducing tougher sentences for those who attack people providing a service to the public, including shopworkers, marks a significant step forward, but it does not solve the problem by itself. We need to ensure that abuse is not seen as part of the job and that all incidents are reported, and in response, Police and Crime Commissioners must prioritise crimes committed against retailers and their colleagues. We must also put the right interventions in place to stop those with substance and alcohol dependencies from reoffending.”
The amendment will be debated during the Report Stage of the Bill in the House of Lords, which is expected to take place before Christmas.
NFRN National President, Narinder Randhawa, said: “Everyone involved in retailing deserves to work in an environment that is safe. Sadly, the reality is that theft, vandalism, and physical and verbal attacks are all too familiar for many NFRN members.
“For some considerable time, the NFRN has been calling for the government to get tough on those who assault retail workers. News of this amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that will make it an offence to assault anyone providing a public duty is very welcome.”
Trade union Usdaw said it is currently looking at the wording of the amendment and is keen to work with the government and members of the House of Lords to ensure that the draft provisions deliver the protections retail workers deserve.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “After years of campaigning we are pleased to have secured movement from the government and that they have finally accepted the need to legislate to protect shopworkers from violence at work. We are studying the amendment to the Policing Bill and are keen to engage with the government and politicians from all parties so that our members can be absolutely clear that the provisions in the Bill will deliver the protections they deserve.
“Usdaw members working in retail have for too long been in the firing line of appalling behaviour from a significant minority of customers. Nine in 10 shopworkers have faced abuse in the last year, with far too many also suffering threats and violence. A protection of workers law is long overdue and this could be a step in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, the ACS is calling on retailers to share their experiences of retail crime over the past 12 months for its annual crime report.
Lowman added: “We need to keep pushing the government to ensure that our colleagues get the protection that they so desperately need and deserve. We are urging all retailers to take the time to take part in this important survey so that we can ensure that the sector is represented, and that all your voices are heard.”
● Take part in the ACS survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/38LDZP3.
