ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed MPs ahead of the Second Reading of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC), calling for tougher sentencing to address attacks against shopworkers.
The Bill includes plans to introduce tougher sentencing for attacks on emergency workers and reforms to the Out of Courts Disposals system (OOCD) to address repeat offending.
In its briefing, ACS made two key recommendations:
- Introduce tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers using the same principles that extends tougher penalties for attacks on emergency workers
- Ensure that the new approach to diversionary and conditional cautions address repeat shop thieves, often motivated by addiction, which is the number one trigger for violence
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Violence and abuse against shopworkers has significant and long-lasting effects on those involved, causing not only physical injury but significant emotional impacts and leaving members of staff afraid to return to work. We will be campaigning for the government to introduce tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers as the Bill progresses through parliament.”
ACS’ 2020 Crime Report revealed an estimated 50,338 incidents of violence and threats towards convenience store colleagues across the UK, 18,399 robberies and almost 10,000 incidents involving a weapon.
