The government has once again pledged stronger protection for retail staff, including those in rural communities, amid mounting concern over rising violence against shop workers.
Addressing MPs in the Commons on Monday (2 June), Minister for Police and Crime Prevention Dame Diana Johnson condemned the surge in abuse and attacks, stating, “We will not tolerate workers facing abuse and violence simply for doing their job, whether that is in towns or in rural areas.”
Her remarks came in response to a question from Labour MP Amanda Hack (North West Leicestershire), who raised the issue of convenience store workers in her constituency facing frequent assaults, including a recent incident in which a shop assistant manager was punched in the face.
“When I visited one of my local shops recently, I was told that just a few days earlier the assistant manager had been punched in the face when he was just doing his job,” Hack told the chamber.
“Although the assault had been reported, the police had yet to pay a visit.”
Hack also highlighted the vital role of local shops in rural communities, noting that stores in North West Leicestershire alone provide jobs to over 700 people.
In response, Johnson said the government is pushing forward measures through the new Crime and Policing Bill, including the introduction of a stand-alone offence specifically targeting assaults against retail workers.
“Under the previous Government, shop theft was allowed to reach epidemic proportions,” she said. “There was a 70 per cent increase in the last two years of the previous Government. We are working hard to tackle this epidemic in every area of our country, including rural areas.”
The minister acknowledged shortcomings in police response times and said she would ensure all forces understand the seriousness with which the government views such offences.
“Under the retail crime action plan, the police made operational commitments to prioritising attendance where violence had been used,” she said. “Some progress has been made, but much more needs to be done.”
She added that reinforcements under the government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee—including 35 new police officers and 21 community support officers—could help strengthen the response in affected areas.