Assaulting shop workers to be considered criminal offense in UK

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new measures to combat retail crime, taking a U-turn after the government previously ruled out legislating to create a new offence.

Assaulting shop workers will be designated a separate criminal offense, reflecting the need to safeguard retail employees and maintaining community safety, reported Reuters.

The proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, applicable to England and Wales, introduces stringent penalties for assaulting retail workers, including a maximum six-month imprisonment or an unlimited fine. Repeat offenders may face electronic tagging, with plans for community sentencing pilots and enhanced facial recognition technology to bolster law enforcement efforts.

The move follows a surge in violence against retail workers, with petitions and reports highlighting the urgent need for action. Despite the belated response from the government, stakeholders, including the British Retail Consortium and retail union Usdaw, have welcomed the overdue measures, emphasising the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of the three million individuals employed in the retail sector.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement: "Since 2010, violent and neighbourhood crime in England and Wales has fallen dramatically, showing our plan to keep our streets safe is working. Yet shoplifting and violence and abuse towards retail workers continues to rise."

"I am sending a message to those criminals - whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves – who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough."

"Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse."