A trade union leader said that he was disappointed after the Government blocked an amendment to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill in the House of Lords.
The amendment, promoted by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, would have introduced a specific offence of assaulting a worker serving the public. The amendment was lost by 195 to 137 votes, a Government majority of 58.
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary said: ‘We were very disappointed to see Tory and Liberal peers combining to block Labour’s amendment to provide for stiffer sentences for those who assault workers serving the public. There is a real need to address the scourge of violence against workers and I am concerned that the attackers are getting away with relatively lenient sentences. Parliament expects workers to enforce and police the laws they pass, but they have failed to provide the additional protection needed to help keep those workers safe.
‘Often, in the course of their duties, shop workers are expected to enforce the law. Whether that is preventing under-age purchases or detaining shoplifters until the police arrive, they can be put in real danger. Our own survey reveals that more than 300 shop workers a day are violently attacked whilst doing their job.
‘Last night the Government offered only warm words and sympathy for workers who put themselves on the front-line every day, but that is not enough. We will continue to campaign for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out and to give a clear message, that assaulting workers who are serving the public is totally unacceptable.”
For the debate visit parliament.uk.
