Mike backs new law to protect shopworkers

Swansea AM Mike Hedges has today thrown his support behind a campaign designed to give workers extra legal protection against violence and abuse incurred through serving members of the public. 

The campaign, which is being led by the trade union Usdaw, recommends adding an extra amendment to the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently making its way through the House of Lords.

The amendment, which has been tabled by Labour’s Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, proposes to extend existing protections for police officers and Scottish emergency service workers by covering all workers serving the public in the United Kingdom, thus making the assault of a worker serving the public a legal offence in its own right.

The amendment to the Government Bill is due to be read and debated in the House of Lords on Monday 2^nd December 2013.

Speaking in support of the amendment, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges said:

“It’s a sad fact that every minute of every day, someone somewhere whose job it is to serve the public is either assaulted, threatened or abused in the course of their duties.

“Such actions against people trying to do their job are totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated. That’s why we need to take swift legal action in this area by introducing stiffer penalties on those that think it’s okay to abuse, threaten and intimidate workers serving the public.” 

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:

“There is a real need to address the scourge of workers being assaulted. I am concerned that assailants are getting away with relatively lenient sentences. We want 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. We look forward to the House of Lords debate on Monday and I hope that our members will receive the recognition and support they deserve.”