Retailers, trade bodies and the retail trade union Usdaw have joined forces to urge the government to bring a new standalone offence for assaulting shop workers into force ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period.
In a letter to home secretary Shabana Mahmood, more than 20 retail organisations and major retailers called for the offence, passed by Parliament in April as part of the Crime and Policing Act, to be enacted as soon as possible.
The letter comes ahead of a national campaign week from 9-15 November, coordinated by Usdaw, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the Retail Trust and the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), which will see activity in stores and town centres calling on the public to respect shop workers.
Signatories include the British Retail Consortium (BRC), ACS, Retail Trust and NBCC, alongside Asda, B&M, B&Q, Booths, Co-op Group, Holland & Barrett, Home Bargains, Iceland, John Lewis, Lincolnshire Co-op, Morrisons, Our Co-op, Poundland, Sainsbury’s, Southern Co-op and Tesco.
The new offence is intended to provide greater protection for retail workers facing violence and abuse. The Act also introduces Respect Orders for repeat offenders, which police will be able to use from 26 October.
Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said the government had made progress in tackling retail crime, but more action was needed.
“We warmly welcome the positive actions taken so far by the government in response to the retail crime epidemic they inherited,” she said.
“Progress has been made with the rate of shop theft reducing over the last two quarters, but much more needs to be done. That’s why we need the landmark legislation passed earlier this year to come into force as soon as possible.”
Thomas said the broad industry backing for the offence demonstrated the strength of feeling across the sector.
“It is brilliant to see the whole industry coming together to both welcome the steps that the government have taken and to show their enthusiasm for the specific offence to come into effect,” she added.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said more than 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers were recorded every day.
“The Crime and Policing Act introduced vital new powers to allow the police to tackle the scourge of retail assault,” she said. “With over 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against retail colleagues every day, we need to see these powers in action as soon as possible. Nobody should have to go to work fearing for their safety.”
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said the new offence would give retailers and shop workers greater confidence that attacks would be treated seriously.
“The government deserves credit for recognising the impact that violence and abuse has on retailers and shop workers, and for legislating to create a standalone offence,” he said.
The Retail Trust also called for the measure to be introduced before the festive period, when pressure on retail staff can increase.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the charity, said retail workers had “waited too long” for stronger protection.
“It is important this new protection is brought into force ahead of this year’s busy festive shopping period when unacceptable behaviour towards staff is likely to be at its worst,” he said.
The NBCC said the offence would provide a “clear and consistent framework” for responding to assaults and help ensure offenders were dealt with robustly.
Supt Lisa Maslen, head of the NBCC, said: “Enacting the standalone offence of assaulting a shop worker will provide a clear and consistent framework for responding to these offences, helping to ensure that offenders are dealt with robustly and that victims receive the support and protection they deserve.”