Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 39
39
Acknowledged
Consult urgently on a new standalone offence to protect retail workers from violence
Recommendation
The text of the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act, having undergone lengthy consultation and close scrutiny, provides a potential starting point. As we have previously recommended, the Government should consult urgently on the scope of a new standalone offence. A clear message must be sent that nobody should feel unsafe at work. (Paragraph 165) 70 Violence and abuse towards retail workers
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing legal protections but commits only to considering an amendment in the Lords if appropriate and to taking the Scottish Act into account during this consideration, rather than committing to an urgent consultation.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
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.2 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. 2 Column 606 https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021–07–05/debates/24D0FCFD-C6AB-4854-A9A0– 2629FA4AEE20/PoliceCrimeSentencingAndCourtsBill