Government to crack down on violence against shopworkers

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The Home Secretary has today (7 July) set out plans to crack down on abuse and violence against shopworkers.

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The plans, which are detailed in the Home Office’s response to a call for evidence on the issue, are designed to improve support for victims and ensure perpetrators face justice.

The crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse will write to PCCs and chief constables underscoring the importance of working closely with local businesses to tackle this issue and emphasising that the theft of goods valued up to £200 from a shop should be prosecuted as a criminal offence.

In addition, the government will work with the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on a best practice guide to support staff in reporting these crimes, strengthening and making full use of existing laws, and improving data sharing between businesses and the police.

Home secretary, Priti Patel, said: “As the daughter of shopkeepers, I know what a vital role they play within our communities and just how tirelessly they have worked during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I will not tolerate violence and abuse against any shopworker and it’s right that those who commit these crimes must be caught and punished.”

Malthouse added: “Shopworkers are the beating hearts of our communities and violence or abuse against them is utterly unacceptable. Through the NRCSG, we are developing solutions which address concerns highlighted by the retail sector.

“We are determined to drive down these crimes and crucially, ensure that shopworkers are fully supported in reporting incidents to the police.”

The NFRN has welcomed the government’s commitment to act on its members’ concerns. National president, Stuart Reddish, said: “I am very pleased that the Federation’s campaign to highlight the weaknesses of having a £200 threshold for shop theft has been recognised by the government.”

Reddish added: “As the leading representative of the independent retail sector, the NFRN will be continuing to work closely with the government to ensure that local police and police and crime commissioners take on board the minister’s advice and will seek to protect local retailers who are working hard to serve their local communities.”

However, the Association of Convenience Stores says urgent action is still needed on violence against shopworkers. Chief executive, James Lowman, said: “We are disappointed that it has taken the Home Office over a year to acknowledge the overwhelming body of evidence showing the extent of violence and abuse against shopworkers. Warm words and working groups are not enough; we need tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers and more police resource to stamp out violence.

“The government is rightly approaching police and crime commissioners and chief constables to encourage better handling of incidents affecting shopworkers, but this must be followed to ensure proper enforcement. This must not become a blame game with national and local authorities passing responsibility to one another; this is a critical issue affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and ministers must build on the Home Secretary’s leadership today and take ownership of this problem.”

He added: “We welcome the focus on reviewing community sentences and urge the government deal with repeat shop thieves, especially through interventions to rehabilitate those with alcohol of drug dependency issues that trigger theft, violence and abuse of shopworkers. We are committed to working through the National Retail Crime Steering Group to make sure retailers and shopworkers are equipped to report every incident of crime to police and to send a clear message that violence and abuse is not part of the job.”