Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Sadiq Khan backs separate offence to protect shop workers

Sadiq Khan backs separate offence to protect shop workers
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks with journalists after launching his Mayoral campaign pledge of "Jobs Jobs Jobs" on March 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Getty Images

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced his support for shop workers to be better protected, backing the call for a separate offence in his re-election manifesto.

“The pandemic has horrifically led to a doubling of the rate of incidents of abuse against retail staff, who have done such a fantastic job during the pandemic.That’s why, I back the campaign to introduce legislation which would classify attacking a retail worker as an aggravated assault to help ensure that those convicted face tougher criminal sanctions,” Khan said in the manifesto.


The Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill, presented by Alex Norris MP, is yet to have its second reading in the parliament. The bill seeks to create a statutory aggravation for assaults against retail workers, which would increase the options for more serious sentences for those convicted.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) has welcomed Khan’s support for the legislation.

“We welcome Mr Khan’s support and we will continue to lobby the government to tighten the law, so that any form of attack on shop workers is taken more seriously and has more stringent penalties for those who commit such crimes,” Stuart Reddish, NFRN national president, said.

On January 19, the Scottish Parliament passed the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by MSP Daniel Johnson.

The new legislation makes attacking a store worker a specific offence, while assaults or abuse relating to the sale of age-restricted products – such as alcohol or tobacco – also become an aggravating factor in law, attracting higher penalties for perpetrators.

More for you

Historic store's closure 'signals death knell for high street', warns retail body
Photo: iStock

Historic store's closure 'signals death knell for high street', warns retail body

The closure of one of Britain's oldest department stores due to recent tax rises signals a "devastating new chapter" for Britain's high streets, the country's leading retail body has warned.

Beales, a 143-year-old retail institution that opened its doors in Bournemouth in 1881, has announced the closure of its final remaining store in Poole's Dolphin Centre by the end of May, blaming increased tax burdens introduced in last October's Budget for making the business unviable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Distributor fined after failing to ensure essential safety checks on potentially toxic food items.

Distributor fined after failing to ensure essential safety checks on potentially toxic food items.

iStock image

Spice supplier fined for failing to ensure safety checks

A food importer and distributor has been fined after failing to ensure essential safety checks on potentially toxic foods it brought into the country.

Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard that Southall-based Al Noor Ltd failed to notify port authorities in Suffolk about a shipment of spice mixes from Pakistan it received in May 2022. In the absence of a proper declaration, it did not undergo the necessary checks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office Horizon scandal

Post Office Horizon scandal

Getty Images (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Over £663m paid to Post Office Horizon victims, says government

Approximately £663 million has been paid to over 4,300 claimants across four schemes for the victims of Post Office Horizon scandal. This is up from £594 million figure reported last month.

Sharing the latest report, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) stated on Friday (7) that £315 million has been paid under Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), including interim payments while £128 m has been paid under Group Litigation Order (GLO) Scheme.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office Horizon scandal: Keith Bell Wins £600K Compensation

Post Office Horizon scandal

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Stockton former sub postmaster receives Horizon compensation

A former sub-postmaster who was wrongly convicted amid the Horizon scandal has recently received a £600,000 settlement.

Keith Bell, 76, was a sub-postmaster in Stockton, Teesside, between 1987 and 2002, when he was convicted of false accounting. He had to do 200 hours of community services when he was convicted.

Keep ReadingShow less
​James Hall & Co. Ltd marks  National Apprenticeship Week

James Hall & Co. Ltd marks National Apprenticeship Week

James Hall & Co. Ltd

James Hall celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2025

James Hall & Co. Ltd is celebrating apprentices across the business during National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

Under the theme of ‘Skills for Life’, apprentices in a range of departments from IT to marketing, food and drink processing to facilities and maintenance, and butchery to retail are being acknowledged.

Keep ReadingShow less