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Written question asked by Will Stone (Labour) on Monday, 2 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Delivery Services: Crimes of Violence

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure the safety of retail delivery drivers when they are carrying out government-mandated enforcement checks with customers.

Answer

This Government is committed to tackling retail crime. Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

Assaults against delivery drivers are already an offence (common assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those delivering goods to customers and other public-facing roles.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
56397
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Staff Crimes of violence Delivery services Enforcement Retail trade
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk