Retail Workers Amendment – Write to your MP for change
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Published 14 Feb 2024 in Raising Awareness
With a 35% increase in retail crime since 2022, it's time for change! We are joining other co-operatives supporting a campaign calling on MPs to support an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. Making it a specific offence to assault a shopworker. Find out more below on how you can join in the call for change by writing to your MP.
We need your help.
With the growing incidents of retail crime, we’ve been investing in equipment to protect colleagues and working with a number of partners, including the Police and elected representatives to ensure that tackling the issue is pushed up the Police’s agenda.
Alongside this, we now have an opportunity to call for greater protection for shopworkers as MPs will be debating an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill in the coming weeks. This amendment would see assault against shopworkers become a stand-alone offence.
Therefore, we want every colleague to ensure their local MP knows how important this issue is to us as individuals, colleagues and as a Co-operative. The message is clear - we expect our MPs to back the amendment to the bill.
How to get involved
1 - Go to this link where we’ve drafted a letter you can send to your local MP.
2 - Find your local MP by typing your postcode into the search bar.
3 - Sign the letter and click send. It’s that simple.
Why is this amendment important?
This amendment is a critical step in our fight against retail crime. Currently, assault against shopworkers is only classed as aggravated assault. This change would mean that any assault against any shopworker will automatically be classed as a stand-alone offence, which would not only send a strong message to police, criminals, and shopworkers, but it will become easier to investigate, prosecute, and sentence offenders. This offence would also bring tougher sentencing to offenders, including up to a year in prison.
The amendment to the bill could turn the tide and give all shopworkers the legal protection they deserve.
Thank you for your support.
As well as colleagues, we’re also asking members to help us amplify our voice and encourage all MPs to back this bill. Through the power of cooperation, we can make this change happen to better protect our colleagues and shopworkers across the country, so please join in and encourage others to do so.