Now Fed backs crime bill amendment to outlaw shopworker assault

The amendment was tabled by Alex Norris MP, the shadow minister for policing, earlier this week, as has already been backed by the British Retail Consortium

Muntazir Dipoti, national president at the Fed, said:  “We have been lobbying the government for years for better protection for those who work in shops, for any form of attacks on shop workers to be taken more seriously and for the penalties for those who commit such crimes to be more stringent.

“We campaigned successfully in Scotland for the establishment of a standalone offence for those who abuse or use violence against retail workers.

“We are glad to see Alex Norris table such a crucial amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill and we call on MPs from all parties to support it.

“Shop workers have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near daily basis. With no current effective deterrent, these attacks in our stores will continue and will continue to seriously affect the lives of ordinary, innocent people who are simply doing their jobs.”

He added that while larger stores could afford to install better security, many independent stores were being left behind.

“Security measures are expensive to buy and install. With tighter margins, smaller retailers are unable to follow suit.”

Last autumn, the Fed launched its “Safe, Secure, Supported” campaign calling for a £1,500 government grant to be made available to help smaller independents protect their stores, deter crimes from being committed and reduce the strain on local police forces.

Dipoti added: “The burden of crime prevention shouldn’t fall on retailers’ shoulders.

“Government intervention is crucial to safeguard retailers, particularly smaller shops.”