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<p>The Government is clear that violent and abusive behaviour towards any worker,
particularly those who provide a valuable service to the public, is never acceptable.</p><p>The
National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG), which I co-chair alongside the British
Retail Consortium, ensures the response to retail crime is as robust as it can be.
The NRCSG meets quarterly and comprises senior representatives from policing, the
retail sector, retail trade associations, security providers and Government departments.
Violence and abuse towards retail workers will be discussed at the next NRCSG.</p><p>In
October, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Retail Crime Action Plan was launched,
which includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence
has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security,
and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel. These
are substantial commitments, and I will use the NRCSG to hold police to account, whilst
also ensuring retailers are playing their part by providing evidence of shoplifting
and violence and abuse to police.</p><p>In 2022, the Government took the significant
step to introduce a statutory aggravating factor for assault against those who are
serving the public. Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
means the public facing nature of a victim’s role will be considered an aggravating
factor when it comes to sentencing for assault offences, allowing the court to give
a longer sentence within the statutory maximum for the offence.</p>
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