Councillors in Swindon call for more to be done to protect shop staff
Swindon Borough Councillors have agreed staff need better protection
Shop staff need better protection from threats, intimidation and even violence which are all increasing Swindon Borough Councillors have agreed.
At the council’s full meeting a motion was proposed by Labour Councillor Neil Hopkins, in place of his party colleague Councillor Marianne Le Coyte Grinney.
It quoted a study made on behalf of the Co-op which suggests that 63 per cent of retail crime is “driven by repeat and prolific offenders and locally organised criminal gangs.”
It added: “It is vital for the Government to put in place additional legislation that aims to provide further protection for shopworkers in England. We welcome the recent plans to make assault of a retail worker a standalone offence in England as is the case in other parts of the UK.”
As a result of the motion being approved, Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the council will: “Write to the Home Secretary urging her to bring forward the appropriate legislation within the course of this Parliament, and to Swindon MPs seeking their support on this very important issue.
He will also: “Write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon to urge them to devote more resources, where possible, to the prevention and investigation of such crimes in Swindon.”
Cllr Hopkins said: “There is an unprecedented level of crime, with a 29 per cent increase in 2024., violence and abuse surged with more than 1,000 incidents daily.
“In a recent survey, 47 per cent of retail staff said they had fears for their safety and 39 per cent have considered leaving jobs because of the threat of violence.”
Councillor Vijay Manro, who is also a magistrate, said the criminal justice system needed to do more to break the cycle of addiction and crime.
He said: “We see people who have offended and they get out of prison with £50 and a travel voucher. But by the time they can apply for benefits they’ve spent the £50 and committed an offence again and they are back before us.
“We need to work to support these offenders and address addiction and break the cycle.”
Councillor Matt Vallender added: “Most supermarkets in Swindon have introduced some form of physical barrier, and the union USDAW says rates of abuse of shopworkers have returned to pre-pandemic levels. I welcome measures to make the assault of shop workers a summary offence in England.”
The motion was passed unanimously.