Usdaw welcomes the Government’s zero tolerance of violence and abuse against retail staff

Speaking today in the House of Commons during Home Office Questions, Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP – home office minister said: “Under the previous Government, shop theft was allowed to reach epidemic proportions – 70% increase in the last two years of the previous Government. We are working hard to tackle this epidemic in every area of our country and through our Crime and Policing Bill, we’ve introduced a new standalone offence of assaults against retail workers. We will not tolerate workers facing abuse and violence simply for doing their job. There has been over a number of years a case made for why retail workers should have this specific offence - work with the Co-op, with Usdaw and many others to get that evidence together.”

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “We are grateful to Amanda Hack MP for raising the issue of violence and abuse against retail staff and the zero-tolerance approach from the Minister. Usdaw has long campaigned for legislative measures to combat the growing problem of retail crime, theft from shops and the abuse of retail staff. Retail workers are responsible for enforcing various laws around age-restricted sales and it is only right that they have additional protection in law, so we very much welcome the Crime and Policing Bill.

“We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Criminal Behaviour Orders. All crucial measures aimed at stemming rising theft from shops, with official figures showing that shoplifting has more than doubled since the pandemic and rose by 20% last year.

“Usdaw continues to engage with Government on the Bill to ensure it offers the best possible protections for retail workers. While the Bill clearly protects retail workers working in store, we are concerned that it does not cover supermarket home delivery drivers, who are required to conduct age verification checks before the delivery can be made. This can be a real flashpoint for abuse, threats and violence and they deserve the same protection that their in-store colleagues will have. Usdaw has worked with the industry to provide evidence of this issue to the Home Office and we will continue to represent our members who are affected.

“The scale of the epidemic of retail crime has a very direct impact on the viability of businesses, as retailers go to increasing lengths and expense to make their stores secure and safe. Communities are blighted by anti-social behaviour, high streets are blighted by store closures, and staff are working in fear of the next incident of abuse, threats or violence. The Crime and Policing Bill provides a great opportunity to make a real difference to the retail industry and workers’ lives.”