Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Deferred
Paragraph: 163
Creating specific offences for emergency workers improved prosecutions; retail workers need similar focus.
Recommendation
Early data following the introduction of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 suggests that the creation of a new offence is having a positive impact on prosecution rates for that crime. We note that even though it was possible previously to prosecute assaults on emergency workers using other offences such as common assault, in practice the fact of creating a distinct offence appears to have been effective in getting the police, courts and agencies to take incidents and assaults against emergency workers much more seriously and to make it simpler to bring them before the courts. Retail workers deserve the same kind of focus to protect them from growing violence and abuse.
Government Response Summary
The government notes existing offences and aggravating factors for assaults against workers, but commits to considering an amendment in the Lords and taking into account the Scottish Protection of Workers Act to address violence and abuse towards retail workers.
Paragraph Reference:
163
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government completely understands and sympathises with all workers who serve the public that face violence and other forms of abuse. A wide range of offences already exist that cover assaults against any worker, including retail workers. Such offences include common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, harassment and other public order offences, all of which criminalise threatening or abusive behaviour intended to harass, alarm or distress a person. In addition, courts have a statutory duty to follow sentencing guidelines, which are clear that the fact an offence has been committed against those working in the public sector or providing a service to the public should be treated as an aggravating factor during sentencing, meriting an increased sentence. However, the Government is not complacent about ensuring criminal law is fit for purpose. In response to an amendment tabled to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on 5 July 2021, the Minister for Safeguarding, Victoria Atkins MP committed to consider an amendment in the Lords if appropriate. We will take into account the text of the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 in our consideration.