Retail Workers in Scotland Urge Incidents of Abuse to Be Reported as Protection of Workers Legislation Markes 4 Year Anniversary

Retail staff in Scotland are being encouraged to report incidents of abuse, violence, and threats as the Protection of Workers legislation marks its fourth anniversary. Introduced in 2021, the legislation created a specific offense for assaulting, threatening, or abusing retail workers, with harsher sentences for those enforcing age restrictions. Since its implementation, there have been 7,861 reported incidents of common assault against retail workers, according to Police Scotland. The legislation has inspired similar moves in England and Wales, with a new measure in the Crime and Policing Bill aiming to create a standalone offense for assaulting retail workers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act came into force on 24 August 2021, creating a specific offense for assaulting, threatening, or abusing retail workers.
• 7,861 police recorded incidents of common assault of a retail worker have been reported since the legislation's implementation, according to Police Scotland.
• Similar legislation is being introduced in England and Wales as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, creating a standalone offense for assaulting retail workers.
• The new measure aims to drive down retail crime and protect staff, while also measuring the scale of the problem.
• Usdaw is working with retailers, the Scottish Government, and Police Scotland to ensure the legislation is fully utilised.
• Tony Doonan, Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland, highlighted the need for improved confidence and reporting of incidents among retail workers.
• Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, emphasized the importance of training and promoting the importance of reporting all incidents.

Statistics:

• 7,861 police recorded incidents of common assault of a retail worker since the Protection of Workers legislation came into effect.
• The new measure in the Crime and Policing Bill aims to drive down retail crime and protect staff, while measuring the scale of the problem.
• The Protection of Workers legislation has inspired similar moves in Westminster for England and Wales, and Stormont for Northern Ireland.

Sources:

• Usdaw - 'Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021'
• Police Scotland - 'Incidents of common assault against retail workers'
• The UK Government - 'Crime and Policing Bill'
• News and current affairs sources (date not provided).