New Retail Crime Crackdown With Separate Offence For Assaulting Shopworkers

Independent retailers have welcomed today’s announcement from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that assaulting a shopworker is to be made a separate offence.

Announcing a three-step plan to tackling retail crime, the Prime Minister said that anyone assaulting a retail worker will face six months in jail or an unlimited fine. Repeat offenders could also be forced to wear an electronic tag, as could consistent shoplifters. More would be done to pioneer new technology to tackle retail crime, with a prize for innovators who come forward with new crime prevention systems, particularly targeted at smaller retailers.

Mr Sunak said:
“I am sending a message to those criminals – whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves – who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.

“Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse.”

Muntazir Dipoti, the National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), said:
“We have been lobbying the government for years for better protection for those who work in shops, for any form of attacks on shop workers to be taken more seriously and for the penalties for those who commit such crimes to be more stringent.

“We campaigned successfully in Scotland for the establishment of a standalone offence for those who abuse or use violence against retail workers. Last year we were pleased to see an amendment tabled to the Criminal and Justice Bill which would have made assaulting retail workers a separate offence and we had called on MPs of all parties to support it. It was of huge disappointment when this fell through.

“Shop workers have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near daily basis. This, along with unprecedented levels of shop theft, seriously affects the lives of ordinary, innocent people who are simply doing their jobs.

“Having campaigned for so long, Fed members are pleased that tackling retail crime is to be finally given the energy and priority it deserves.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council said:
“The Government’s decision to make assaulting a shop worker a standalone criminal office in England and Wales reflects the rising risks faced by retail workers. To date, the retail sector has largely shouldered the weight of protecting staff against intimidation and violence, through enhanced de-escalation training, self-defence training, and the introduction of body-worn cameras.

"Providing law enforcement agencies and our courts and tribunals service, with the powers that they need to combat and prosecute violent offenders should serve as an effective deterrent to would-be offenders. A standalone offence reflects the severity of the recent rising trends in anti-social behaviour, intimidation, and physical violence faced by those in customer-facing retail roles, and reminds wider society why worker safety must form a cornerstone of government policy, our society, and our economy.”