ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has criticised MPs’ decision to vote down the introduction of a new clause in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would have made attacking a retail worker a separate offence.
New Clause 31, proposed by Shadow Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP, would have created a new offence for assaulting a retail worker with the following provisions:
• Introduces a new, separate offence for assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker
• Introduces an aggravated offence with an increased imprisonment term of up to 12 months
The clause was subject to a vote in the House of Commons during a debate on the PCSC Bill, and was defeated by 350 votes to 233. Another clause looking to bring in similar provisions (new clause 90) was withdrawn.
The vote comes just days after the influential Home Affairs Select Committee, led by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, made a series of recommendations to better protect shopworkers, including the introduction of a new offence for attacking a shopworker.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are disappointed that the Government has again refused to take action to bring to justice those who attack shopworkers. These offences must not be tolerated, and it’s clear that the existing legislation does not go far enough to deter offenders. We urge the Government to take forward the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee, which include not just a new offence, but a wide range of measures to stop reoffending, intervene with rehabilitation for those with addiction, and increase reporting and response rates.”
Speaking during the debate, Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins MP referenced the existing powers available to the Govenrment on dealing with violence and abuse in the courts, but noted that the Government wants to 'make it clear that it is not complacent about this, and is considering an amendment on this issue if appropriate in the Lords'.
Figures from the 2021 ACS Crime Report show that there were over 40,000 violent attacks against people working in convenience stores and 1.1m incidents of theft over the last year, many of which committed by repeat offenders with a drug or alcohol addiction. The report also shows that there have been over 1.2m incidents of abuse over the last year, which often go unreported.
In evidence submitted to the Public Bill Committee on the PCSC Bill earlier this year, ACS has called for the inclusion of the following measures:
- Introduce tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers, recognising their role in enforcing the law and supporting their communities
- Ensure that the new system of cautions is effective in dealing with repeat shop theft offences
The progress of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill can be followed here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2839
Violence and Abuse Against Retailers: Timeline
- March 2019: ACS, Home Office and retail sector launch #AlwaysReportAbuse campaign.
- April 2019: Call for evidence on violence and abuse is launched, and receives responses from almost 3,500 interested parties, including retailers and colleagues that have been victims of abuse and violence at work.
- March 2020: Yvette Cooper speakers at Retail Industry Parliament Reception on violence and abuse against shopworkers.
- March 2020: Ten Minute Rule motion on Assaults on Retail Workers, proposed by Alex Norris MP, is passed and added to the register of Parliamentary business. The Bill is first scheduled to be debated in April 2020, but is subsequently delayed.
- May 2020: Police and Crime Commissioner elections are delayed due to Coronavirus, currently scheduled to take place in May 2021.
- July 2020: Government issues formal response to call for evidence on violence and abuse over a year after the consultation closed, stating that no changes to the law are necessary.
- September 2020: Crime Minister Kit Malthouse writes to all Police and Crime Commissioners, reminding them of the importance of prosecuting shop theft offences under the value of £200 as well as those over £200.
- December 2020: Home Affairs Select Committee launches new consultation, looking at whether the Government’s own response to its call for evidence was adequate.
- February 2021: Scottish Parliament passes the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act. The Bill was sponsored by Daniel Johnson MSP and introduced an aggravated offence for attacks on shopworkers
- March 2021: ACS launches 2021 Crime Report, revealing that 89% of colleagues in stores have been the victim of abuse over the last year, with a total of 1.2m incidents of abuse recorded.
- April 2021: ACS gives evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, outlining the scale of the problem of violence and abuse against shopworkers.
- April 2021: ACS, the Home Office, Crimestoppers and over 100 retailers and trade bodies come together to launch the #ShopKind campaign, funded by the Home Office.
- May 2021: Second reading of Alex Norris’ Bill on Assaults on Retail Workers is once again delayed. A second reading date is yet to be set.
- May 2021: Police and Crime Commissioner elections take place. ACS sets out a series of recommendations for Police and Crime Commissioners to encourage them to take retail crime more seriously.
- June 2021: Shadow Policing Minister proposes an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill that would introduce a new offence for abusing a shopworker.
- June 2021: Government rejects amendment to PCSC Bill, stating that existing legislation is adequate to deal with violence and abuse. Suggests that employers need to do more to increase reporting levels.
- June 2021: Home Affairs Select Committee, led by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, publishes report on violence and abuse against retailers, calling for urgent action to address the problem. Recommendations include a new offence for attacking shopworkers, and a more formal response to incidents from police.
- July 2021: MPs vote down a new clause on the PCSC Bill by 350 votes to 233
