First Report - Violence and abuse towards retail workers

The government agreed to work closely with retailers to ensure any future public health restrictions and guidance are clear and workable, stating that BEIS and DEFRA will continue this engagement.

The government outlines the ongoing work of the NRCSG and its task groups in producing resources for retailers on crime reporting, data sharing, and victim support, and notes the establishment of two new Task and Finish groups on substance misuse and information sharing.

The government is working with the NPCC to consider options for adding more granularity to crime data for violence against retail workers, acknowledging the need for police consultation on administrative burden, but did not commit to implementing a specific new flag.

The government acknowledges the importance of reporting and commits to working with relevant bodies to scope options for online business crime reporting and to consider how to encourage the creation of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, alongside highlighting existing police funding and the Safer Streets Fund.

The government explains that national leadership is provided by the NRCSG and that while the NBCC will not be directly funded, it will receive appropriate government support and the Home Office will work with them to scope and potentially fund online business crime reporting services.

The government stated it will continue to work with relevant bodies to consider what more can be done to encourage the creation of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships but deflected the recommendation to involve shopworkers and major employers to the NABCP and individual BCRPs for consideration.

The government committed to reviewing existing resources and will consult with the National Retail Crime Steering Group about whether they would support the creation of an Employers Charter for retail workers, using Suzy’s Charter as a template.

The government acknowledges that while useful resources have been created, more is needed, and commits the Home Office and NRCSG to review existing resources and fully consider the Committee's recommendation for future work.

The government acknowledges that while useful resources have been created, more is needed, and commits the Home Office and NRCSG to review existing resources and fully consider the Committee's recommendation for future work.

The government acknowledges existing resources and states it will review these resources with the NRCSG, giving full consideration to the committee's recommendation for further toolkit material when planning future work.

The government refers to future plans to be set out after the Spending Review for tackling drug misuse and improving treatment, but explicitly states it has no plans to prescribe how enforcement partners use proceeds of crime funds for rehabilitation.

The government's response is only a heading, 'Strengthening the legal framework,' offering no specific commitment or detail regarding the recommendation.

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.