Responding to the Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on violence and abuse towards shop staff, Tom Ironside, Director of Business Regulation and Co-Chair of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, said:

“The BRC welcomes the publication of the response to the call for evidence which was set up in response to pressure from the BRC during the passage of the Offensive Weapons Act. The BRC Retail Crime survey reported there were 424 incidents of violence or abuse toward retail staff every day - a rise of 9% on the previous year. Violence in retail leaves a lasting impact on all those affected, as well as their colleagues, families and the local communities they work hard to serve. We are thankful that the report recognises that violence and abuse can impact mental health as well as physical and we support the work on addressing the levers of violence; the need to overcome barriers to data sharing; support for victims; and better communication. Retail staff have been among the heroes of the ongoing pandemic, and they deserve our protection from harm.

“Retail crime also bears a significant economic cost, with £1 billion lost to retail crime and a further £1.2 billion spent on crime prevention; a £2.2 billion cost to the industry. Recently, there have been many threats of coughing and spitting on staff during the coronavirus lockdown – over 100 a day in the case of one national retailer.

“The Government response acknowledges the need for an improved police response – something the BRC has long called for. However, we are disappointed that the Call for Evidence does not to seek to introduce a specific offence for attacking shop workers, despite the evidence gathered in the report and the support of Retailers, business groups and MPs for a proposed Bill. Recommendations to look at the Sentencing Council Guidelines and Sentencing legislation are welcome, along with the indication that offences against shopworkers can already be treated as aggravated, even though they seldom are. Moreover, this is no substitute for the message that a change in the law would send.

“A number of joint retail/Home Office task and finish groups have already been established by  the other co-chair of the NRCSG, Kit Malthouse MP – Minister for Policing -  to take forward some of the recommendations of the response – including reporting attacks; supporting victims; barriers to data transfers; and better communication of the impact. These should provide some practical proposals for the short term.”