Legislation similar to Protection of Workers Bill to be passed in England and Wales

Assault of shop workers will be made a specific criminal offence in England and Wales.

Earlier this year a report found violent and abusive incidents against shop workers rose by 50% in 2022-23.

The government previously told campaigners for a new law the government says it is concerned about an increase in attacks. The prime minister said the new law was about "sending a message" to criminals stealing from local businesses or abusing shop workers that "enough is enough".

Helen Dickinson, chair of the British Retail Consortium, welcomed the announcement, saying "the voices of the three million people working in retail are finally being heard".

While this legislation does not change anything for retailers in Scotland, it suggests that the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021, that SGF was instrumental in delivering, has influenced policy making in the rest of Britain.

You can read the UK Government Press Release on this here.