Received from: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Congress welcomes the significant work of the Labour government in tackling retail crime. This includes a specific offence of assaulting a shop worker, ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shop theft, which had effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals, and criminal behaviour orders for retail crime.
Far too many retail workers live in fear of being abused, threatened and assaulted and there is significant work still to be done. This work must not forget the important role of retail home delivery drivers. These workers ensure people who cannot make it into a store are able to access the provisions they need, while also keeping communities safe through, for example, enforcing age-restricted sales provisions.
It is unacceptable that 13 per cent of delivery drivers have been assaulted in the last 12 months and 26 per cent have had to refuse a delivery due to concerns over personal safety. In addition to legislating to provide adequate legal protections, it is essential that the government ensures the police can enforce measures to protect all retail workers.
Conference calls on the TUC to:
i. support calls to introduce a specific offence of assaulting a retail home delivery driver
ii. monitor the use and effectiveness of new legislation
in tackling retail crime
iii. highlight that voices representing retail workers must be included in discussions on police reform as part of the abolition of the police and crime commissioner role
iv. ensure the experiences of retail workers, including delivery drivers, continue to be reflected in TUC campaigns to prevent workplace violence.
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers