Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
First Report - Violence and abuse towards retail workers
Home Affairs Committee
HC 141
Published 29 June 2021
Recommendations
11
Deferred
Para 71
Mandate adding a "business crime flag" to offences committed in retail environments.
Recommendation
As a starting point, we recommend that it is made mandatory to add a “business crime flag” to offences committed in a retail environment, including assaults on retail Violence and abuse towards retail workers 63 workers. This simple step would …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to working with the NBCC to consider options for adding more granularity to police recorded crime data, acknowledging that any changes would require consultation with the police service to assess administrative burden and value.
Home Office
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19
Deferred
Para 90
Provide central funding for the continued operation of the National Business Crime Centre.
Recommendation
The Home Office work to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers over the last twelve months has been welcome. But the temporary working groups they set up to draw up new guidance are not sufficient to deliver sustained change or …
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Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to providing central funding for the continued operation of the National Business Crime Centre, instead stating national leadership is provided by the ongoing National Retail Crime Steering Group and only considering funding an online reporting service if a viable option is identified.
Home Office
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29
Deferred
Require local authorities to work with police to identify vulnerable high streets and plan security bids.
Recommendation
We also encourage large national retailers to play a leading role in local business partnerships, working with local councils and the police to encourage and include small independent high street retailers in security measures including CCTV or local communication networks …
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Government Response Summary
The government defers this recommendation to local authorities, noting that the scope and timescales for the Safer Streets Fund bidding process are detailed elsewhere.
Home Office
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34
Deferred
Para 151
Retail workers enforcing laws and facing risks deserve equal legal protection as emergency workers.
Recommendation
Retail workers are responsible for enforcing laws with regard to age-restricted sales and restricted goods such as medicines or weapons. It is well established that conflict over these types of sales is a key trigger for violence and abuse. The …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges existing laws treat offences against public sector workers seriously, but commits to considering an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in the Lords, and will take into account the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021.
Home Office
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36
Deferred
Para 162
A new standalone statutory offence would powerfully reset expectations on retail worker abuse.
Recommendation
Violence and abuse towards retail workers is a complex and multi-faceted issue and any meaningful solution will involve a package of measures from Government, the police, employers, retail workers and the public. Legislation can only ever be one part of …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges existing offences and sentencing guidelines but, in response to a tabled amendment, has committed to consider a new standalone statutory offence in the Lords if appropriate, taking into account the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act 2021.
Home Office
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37
Deferred
Para 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 …
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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.
Home Office
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Conclusions (6)
1
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 10
No one should encounter violence at work. The last 5 years has seen a shocking rise in attacks on retail workers. We find it very disturbing that violence and abuse towards those working in the retail environment is becoming endemic in British society. The appalling truth, exposed comprehensively by data …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the unacceptable rise in violence against retail workers, highlighting existing legal offences and sentencing guidelines that treat such assaults as aggravating factors. It also commits to considering a legislative amendment in the Lords, taking into account the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act 2021, to address the issue further.
2
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 15
The appalling abuse suffered by retail workers on a daily basis is completely unacceptable. Abuse should never be “simply part of the job” or accepted as a “norm” in any workplace. The unique vulnerability of retail workers, who face being confronted with repeat offenders who live in their local area, …
Government Response Summary
The government expresses sympathy and states that existing offences and sentencing guidelines already address violence against retail workers. However, it also commits to consider a legislative amendment in the Lords, taking into account the Scottish Act, in response to the ongoing issue.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 72
However, we recognise that the current broad definition of “business crime”, which encompasses cybercrime, fraud or theft at an unoccupied business premises has limitations when it comes to tackling assaults on shop workers. The broad definition does not distinguish between crimes which result in financial loss to businesses and crimes …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the issue is not about financial loss and will work with the NBCC to consider options for adding more granularity to police recorded crime data to better distinguish violence against retail workers.
25
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 116
Smaller retailers are much less likely to have access to security expertise or investment in technology and, as many have been heavily affected by the pandemic, they may also struggle to find additional funds to invest in the area. Small local high street shops sometimes have only one member of …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the specific vulnerability of smaller retailers and their workers. While noting existing resources, it commits the Home Office and NRCSG to review these resources and give full consideration to the committee's recommendation when planning future work.
32
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 143
The everyday experiences of retail workers show that the current framework is too often failing to protect them from abuse, provide justice for victims or a deterrent for offenders. With prosecution rates vanishingly small, the existence of an aggravating factor in the sentencing guidelines is not sufficient to deal with …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issue, states existing laws and sentencing guidelines address assaults on workers, and commits to considering a legislative amendment in the Lords and taking the Scottish Act into account.
33
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 150
Retail workers, by the very nature of their employment, are placed at an increased risk of violence and abuse compared to members of the general public. They are 68 Violence and abuse towards retail workers vulnerable to repeat offenders who are able to return time and again to stores, compounding …
Government Response Summary
The government expresses understanding and sympathy for retail workers facing abuse, acknowledging existing legal protections. They commit to considering an amendment in the Lords and reviewing the Scottish Protection of Workers Act to potentially address the identified unique vulnerabilities.