Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Shopworkers: Protection from Assault

Monday 14 December 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial concern expressed over the high number of assaults on shopworkers, with incidents reported daily in some areas.
  • Government acknowledged the critical role of shopworkers during the pandemic and the need for increased protection.
  • Government does not currently see the need for a specific new offence of assault on shopworkers, citing existing aggravated assault laws.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question stems from a call for evidence on violence and abuse towards shopworkers, with recent reports indicating an alarming number of incidents in retail environments.

Question

What recent steps she has taken to protect shopworkers from assault. The Government's response to the call for evidence was published in July; however, despite this, some 3,000 incidents have been reported already this year across Co-op stores in Cambridge, equating to an incident every day in each store. Given these shocking statistics and noting the unsung role of retail staff during the pandemic, how much worse does it need to get before action is taken?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

I join the hon. Gentleman in being appalled at the level of abuse and violence that shopworkers face. We are doing a huge amount to deal with it, including working closely with police forces through the retail crime steering group to press down on this issue. I have written to all chief constables outlining the need for every crime in shops to be investigated thoroughly. Last week, I met the head of security at Co-op to discuss their work with Facewatch using facial recognition technology to alert staff to repeat offenders before interactions become violent.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not specify when or if action would be taken in response to the worsening situation and did not provide a concrete timeline for improvements.

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Q2 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

In a recent survey, USDAW found that over half of its members had been threatened and nearly 10% assaulted this year.

Question

Given the shocking statistics on verbal abuse, threats, and assaults against retail staff during the pandemic and noting their critical role in keeping shops open, does he agree they need greater protection? Does he support a private Member's Bill seeking to create new offences for assaults on retail workers?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

I do agree that shopworkers deserve all the protection we can afford, especially given their critical role during the pandemic. However, we do not yet see the case for a specific offence of assault on a shopworker despite the fact that assaults on those performing public service are already an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Sentencing Council is reviewing the sentencing guidelines for assault, and I urge hon. Members to put their evidence into this consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to supporting or opposing a specific bill, despite acknowledging the need for protection but not providing concrete support for new legislation.

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Q3 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

A survey by USDAW found that a significant majority of its members had faced verbal abuse, threats, or assaults this year.

Question

Given the shocking statistics on verbal abuse, threats, and assaults against retail staff during the pandemic and noting their critical role in keeping shops open, does he agree they need greater protection? Does he support a private Member's Bill seeking to create new offences for assaults on retail workers?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

I do agree that shopworkers deserve all the protection we can afford, especially given their critical role during the pandemic. However, we do not yet see the case for a specific offence of assault on a shopworker despite the fact that assaults on those performing public service are already an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Sentencing Council is reviewing the sentencing guidelines for assault, and I urge hon. Members to put their evidence into this consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to supporting or opposing a specific bill, despite acknowledging the need for protection but not providing concrete support for new legislation.

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