MSP claims "overwhelming" support for retail staff protection bill
An MSP has claimed "overwhelming" support for his proposed bill to create new offences specifically directed as assaults on people working in the retail sector or upholding statutory age restrictions.
Labour member Daniel Johnson wants to see increased legal protection for those subjected to rising levels of abuse by members of the public, in the course of their employment, and believes that his proposed new offences would serve as a deterrent to criminal behaviour.
The published summary of responses to his public consultation reveals that 385 individual responses were received, and a further 617 through a postcard campaign run by the union USDAW. Of the former, more than 90% were wholly or partially supportive of the proposal, as they felt alone and vulnerable when faced with abuse and at risk of losing their job if they attempted to do anything in response.
Others however questioned whether such workers alone should receive special protection, or whether the problem was really with enforcement of the law. The Law Society of Scotland argued that the existing law was adequate and that aggravating circumstances would be taken into account in sentencing.
Commenting on the responses, Mr Johnson said the individual accounts he had heard "further reinforced my view that this legislation is necessary and taps into a strong public feeling of being let down by the current criminal justice system".
His final proposal for a bill has now been lodged and Mr Johnson hopes it will be drafted and introduced to the Parliament in the coming months.