The government is to introduce a new law making assaulting retail workers a criminal offense, following pressure from the sector.
According to The Times, this standalone offense will be part of the Crime and Policing bill.
It is expected to be announced in the King’s Speech on Wednesday, July 17.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy recently urged the government to amend the current bill due to the rising number of attacks on store staff.
Murphy said a 39 percent increase in serious incidents involving weapons during Tesco’s first quarter, calling the figures “truly shocking.”
He said: “A single assault on a shop worker is unacceptable, but this steep rise must see this issue put right at the heart of the incoming government’s legislative agenda.”
Despite Tesco’s investment in security measures, such as body-worn cameras and protective screens, Murphy emphasised more needs to be done.
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He called the new Labour government to introduce the standalone offense in the upcoming King’s Speech.
Murphy added: “Sadly they are still not enough.
“That’s why I am calling on the new Labour government to introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker in this week’s King’s Speech.”
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported earlier this year that daily incidents against shop workers surged 50 percent to 1,300 in 2023, with theft costing retailers around £1.8 billion.
