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Protection of Retail Workers — [James Gray in the Chair]
07 June 2021
Lead MP
Matt Vickers
Stockton West
Con
Responding Minister
Chris Philp
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsNHSTaxationEmploymentMental Health
Word Count: 13346
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Matt Vickers raised concerns about protection of retail workers — [james gray in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should work with Members to support provisions that protect retail workers better and increase punishments for crimes against them. I hope they will look again at this issue and implement stronger measures.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Retail workers have faced an increase in violence and abuse during the pandemic. A survey by the British Retail Consortium found that there are 455 incidents of abuse and violence against retail workers daily, with triggers including enforcing social distancing measures and mask-wearing requirements. The issue is not new; it predates the pandemic, with instances involving ID checks and shoplifting.
Alex Norris
Lab Co-op
Nottingham North
The MP expressed concern about the significant issue of violence and abuse faced by shop workers, citing figures from the Association of Convenience Stores that there have been 40,000 violent incidents in the past year, with one in five resulting in injury. Additionally, he mentioned a staggering 1.2 million incidents of abuse, affecting nearly nine out of every ten shop workers.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
She highlighted the growing issue of abuse and violence against retail workers, citing statistics such as 88% experiencing verbal abuse last year and 10% being physically assaulted. She emphasized that retail staff are key workers who face insecure working conditions and low wages. Anna McMorrin also mentioned specific incidents of violent attacks on retail workers and called for legislative action to protect them.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Mr Sheerman expressed his concern for the protection of workers in small retail shops, emphasising their importance to local communities. He highlighted that these shops are essential facilities and key workers during the pandemic have faced abuse from a minority of customers who do not obey laws. Mr Sheerman called for cultural change and better law enforcement.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
The MP highlighted the worsening situation for shop workers during the pandemic, with the USDAW survey revealing that 88% experienced verbal abuse, 61% were threatened by customers, and 9% were assaulted. She shared several shocking first-hand experiences of verbal and physical abuse faced by retail staff. She stated: 'It's a different one.'
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
The Member highlighted his personal experience as a retail worker, noting the common occurrence of verbal and physical abuse. He cited USDAW's survey which revealed that nine in ten shop workers had been verbally abused, 60% reported threats of abuse, and 9% experienced physical assault. The Member called for meaningful change in law to protect retail workers similarly to other frontline workers.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Called for effective legal protection of retail workers and highlighted the increase in violence against them, citing a British Retail Consortium survey which found that there are now 455 incidents of abuse per day. He shared testimonies from USDAW members detailing various forms of verbal and physical abuse faced by shop workers. He noted that 65 CEOs in the UK are requesting a specific law for retail workers' protection from the government.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
There are 455 daily incidents of abuse and violence in the retail sector as reported by the British Retail Consortium. The Home Affairs Committee survey found that 42% of respondents suggested more security measures could prevent future incidents, with convenience store workers being particularly vulnerable. He called for a specific offence to protect retail workers, citing the Home Affairs Committee report, and suggested body cameras as a deterrent.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Paying tribute to retail workers in Liverpool, West Derby for their efforts during the pandemic, Ian Byrne highlighted that despite shortages of personal protective equipment and fear of the virus, these workers continued to serve their community. He also noted an increase in threatening behaviour towards workers with 164 people from his constituency signing a petition by USDAW.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Retail workers have been largely unsung heroes on the frontline of the pandemic, yet they are regularly abused and assaulted. In Co-op stores alone in the first quarter of 2021, there were almost 400 incidents where weapons were used against shop workers, over half involving sharp implements such as syringes or knives.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Retail workers in Blaydon are facing issues such as verbal abuse, physical assaults, and threats of violence. A petition with over 100,000 signatures calls for specific legislation to protect retail workers. The USDAW survey highlights cases of shop workers being punched, threatened, and spat on. The Minister's sentencing guidelines are ineffective without prosecution, which is the issue at hand.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Runcorn
Mr Amesbury thanked the 104,000 petition signatories and highlighted the distressing experiences of retail workers, including abuse such as cans being thrown at their heads and verbal abuse for refusing to sell alcohol. He cited examples from Cheshire where shop workers have faced physical violence and called for specific protections like those in Scotland.
Drawing on her experience as a former retail worker, Patricia Gibson emphasised the need for protection against abuse and violence. She highlighted the Scottish Parliament's Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) Act 2021 which provides statutory aggravation for assault or threats to workers enforcing age restrictions.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Sarah Olney paid tribute to retail workers for their hard work during the pandemic and highlighted a constituent's daughter suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after an incident involving a knife in her workplace. She supports calls for specific legislation protecting shop workers, recognising their role in enforcing laws and maintaining community connections.
The MP commended the debate's lead on recognizing retail workers' invaluable role during the pandemic and highlighted a significant increase in abuse towards them. He noted that 3,500 assaults occur daily among 3 million retail workers due to enforcing social distancing measures and age verification.
William Wragg
Con
Hazel Grove
Mr Wragg supported the idea of protecting retail workers, praising the work of his local Co-op store in Marple. He noted that frontline workers have endured abuse during the pandemic and suggested enforcing existing laws or changing them to make assaults on retail workers an aggravated offence if necessary.
Government Response
Chris Philp
Government Response
As always, it is a great pleasure to serve under the chairmanship of Mr Gray. I join others in paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton South and the hon. Member for Nottingham North for their contributions on this issue. The strength of feeling is evident from the 104,000 signatures on the petition. Many Members have paid deserved tribute to retail operatives and workers for their service during the pandemic. Violence against these workers has a significant impact on both physical and mental health. No worker should suffer abuse or violence while providing services. The pandemic has increased vulnerability in some cases.
The law currently provides protection through various criminal offences, including common assault with maximum sentences of six months, actual bodily harm (ABH) carrying up to five years, and grievous bodily harm (GBH) carrying up to 10 years. Aggravating factors for assaults on public sector workers are listed in the Sentencing Council guidelines, which were updated recently to include an increase in sentence length when the victim is providing a service to the public.
The issue of prosecutions remains critical. A Home Affairs Committee survey found that while 87% of retail workers reported incidents to their employer, only 53% reported them to the police and 12% resulted in investigation or arrest. The reasons given for not reporting included disbelief that employers would do anything about it (35%), belief that it was just part of the job (32%), considering the incident too minor to report (second reason), and disbelief that the police would do anything about it (28%).
The national retail crime steering group is working on these issues, with Home Office investment in ShopKind campaigns. The focus needs to be on getting more reporting and ensuring follow-up investigations by the police. I undertake to take this message back to the Policing Minister for further action.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.