Matt hails new protection for retail workers as a “significant victory” after his leading role in the campaign
Today, it has been confirmed that the Home Office have tabled an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill to make an attack on anyone providing a public service a statutory aggravating factor.
Last night, Minister for Crime & Policing, Kit Malthouse, wrote to the National Retail Crime Steering Group to confirm that the Home Office have tabled an amendment to make attacking an individual who is providing a service to the public a statutory aggravating factor.
This comes off the back of campaigning by a number of retailers, campaign groups and Members of Parliament from across the House.
Earlier this year, a BRC report found that 455 incidents of violence and abuse towards retail workers occur in the UK every single day. It also found that violent incidents increased as a direct result of shop workers enforcing Coronavirus restrictions.
Supermarkets and shops have also stated that they will not enforce the new mask wearing rules to avoid their staff being abused by customers.
Earlier this year, Matt Vickers laid an amendment to the PCSC Bill which was supported on a cross-party basis to provide extra protection for retail workers. This was later withdrawn after the Government committed to legislate for this in the Lords.
The amendment has been welcomed by the British Retail Consortium and the USDAW Union.
Matt said:
“This is a significant victory for shop workers and retail staff across the country.
“When the pandemic struck many of us retreated to the safety of our own homes but our retail workers rolled up their sleeves and kept the country running.
"Every day, 455 of these committed men and women get assaulted just for going about their job. The semi-retired person on the till or the young student shelf stacker should not have to endure abuse, often just for upholding the rules, checking ID and asking people to wear masks. This announcement will give them much deserved protection and peace of mind.
“I’m pleased that the Government have committed to introducing extra security for retail staff, however without the tireless campaigning from retail bosses and colleagues applying pressure from across the house this may never have happened.”
