Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The amendment, proposed by shadow policing minister Sarah Jones, is currently being considered alongside others as part of the Committee Stage of the PCSC Bill. If included in the bill, assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker would become a specific offence, with that offence becoming more serious if the abuse takes place as a result of the retail worker enforcing age restrictions, for example during the purchase of alcohol products.
The amendment also specifies that unpaid volunteers and workers delivering goods from a retail outlet would be included within the scope of the term ‘retail worker’.
ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “This amendment is an important step toward taking much-needed action to stop offenders repeatedly targeting convenience stores. Those who attack retailers and their colleagues must be dealt with properly through tougher sentences, so we urge MPs to back new clause 45 in the PCSC Bill to send a clear message that these offences will not be tolerated.”
