Member

There was what I felt was helpful reference to, and concern about, the safety of retail staff, as well as the potential for increasing levels of violence and abuse; that was raised by the noble Lords, Lord Murray, Lord Moylan and Lord Strathcarron, the noble Earl, Lord Howe, and the noble Baroness, Lady Meyer. I assure the Committee that we will continue, as we have always done, to work closely with retailers and organisations such as the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores in order to ensure that we support retailers through this transition. Violence and abuse against staff are never acceptable. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their job, which is why the Crime and Policing Bill introduces the new offence of assaulting a retail worker.