LAW changes which were brought in to reduce soaring rates of assaults on shop workers are having the desired effect, according to a Barnsley MP.
Ministers vowed to protect fearful employees who have been verbally or physically attacked while at work - after two-thirds of Barnsley workers said they had been the victim of abuse.
Assaulting a shop worker has been made a separate criminal offence in the Crime and Policing Bill, with those responsible facing a maximum sentence of six months in jail or an unlimited fine - the same sentencing guidelines for common assault.
According to ONS data, incidents have tumbled by 20 per cent while a 17 per cent rise in charge rates has also been recorded.
Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball said: “If you work in a shop, you should never be expected to put up with theft, threats and violence as part of your working day, while offenders assume they will get away with it.
“Under the Tories, we all suffered under their ridiculous rule that gave effective immunity for shoplifting under £200 and cut 20,000 police officers between 2010 and 2019.
“We’re creating a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, giving shop staff the same protections as emergency workers.
“We’re starting to see the results, with the number of people charged up 17 per cent in the latest stats.
“We are calling time on the free for all, standing firm, together, against the disgraceful crime of shop theft.”
The scrapping of the previous £200 threshold - which shoplifters had to have exceeded before court proceedings could be launched - has also been hailed as a huge step forward.
A government spokesperson added: “In response to retail industry data reporting an increase in the frequency and severity of violence and abuse experienced by retail workers, the retail sector has been campaigning for years for the creation of a new offence of assaulting a retail worker.
“This is not only to send a strong message that this criminality is not acceptable, but also to ensure data on assaults against retail workers is collected and can be used to influence police activity and response.
“The government’s election manifesto included a commitment to create such a bespoke offence.
“This will send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on retail workers are unacceptable and won’t go unpunished./
“The bill introduces a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker which will have a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and/or an unlimited fine and upon first conviction, there is a presumption on the courts to impose a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
“A CBO prohibits the offender from doing anything described in the order, which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress or preparatory acts which the offending history shows are likely to lead to offences.
“A CBO could also bar offenders from visiting affected shops or premises.”
