Home Office details plans to protect shop staff
HOME SECRETARY Priti Patel has set out plans to crack down on violence against shopworkers.
Detailed steps have been outlined by the Home Office, which include working with the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on a best practice guide to support staff in reporting these crimes. Strengthening existing laws and improving data sharing between businesses and the police will also be reviewed.
The Crime and Policing Minister will write to PCCs and chief constables underscoring the importance of working closely with local businesses.
Patel said: “As the daughter of shopkeepers, I know what a vital role they play within our communities and just how tirelessly they have worked during the coronavirus pandemic. I will not tolerate violence and abuse against any shopworker and it’s right that those who commit these crimes must be caught and punished.”
Kit Malthouse, minister of state for crime and policing, said: “Shopworkers are the beating hearts of our communities and violence or abuse against them is utterly unacceptable.
“Through the NRCSG, we are developing solutions which address concerns highlighted by the retail sector. We are determined to ... ensure that shopworkers are fully supported in reporting incidents to the police. The government is taking action to tackle violent crime, including by recruiting 20,000 new police officers over the next three years.”
The Home Office’s call for evidence was open for 12 weeks. Nearly 3,500 retailers, organisations, trade unions and individual businesses sent their responses.
Most believed abuse towards shop staff has increased and a significant number said they did not report incidents to the police.
The Sentencing Council is reviewing its guidelines for courts on assault and published interim guidance in April 2020. It clarifies that such crimes should be treated as an aggravating factor when assault involves threats around Covid-19 (such as spitting or coughing on staff).
It is already an aggravating factor for an offence to be committed against anyone providing a service to the public.
The government is taking steps to improve support for all victims of crime, including a future consultation on a Victims’ Law, officials added.