Shopworker Protection Act Anniversary shows more needed to protect retail workers

26th August 2025

It is now four years since The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force. The Legislation, brought forward by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson and backed by the SRC, Trades Union, and retailers, aimed to start tackling the appalling abuse far too many shopworkers face daily.

Police Scotland Management Information shows the impact of the legislation. So far this year there have been 1,238 offences of common assault of a Retail Worker; which is up 6.7 percent on the same point in the previous year; and a 35.8 percent rise over three years. The picture is the same for Threatening and Abusive Behaviour towards a Retail Worker, with 1,430 offences this year, up 8.1 percent on last year and 37 percent on the three year average.

Whilst there is no doubt the offence is helping in the fight against shopworker abuse it was clear more was needed to tackle the issue. This year the Scottish Government announced £3 million in the most recent Budget to deliver a Retail Crime Taskforce. That taskforce has already started activity, and has published new resources for retailers to display in store to help deter criminal behaviour.

Inspector Emma Wright, lead for Police Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce said, "Retail crime is not a victimless offence and can often result in the harassment, intimidation or even assault of shopworkers. Let me be clear, this is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"It has been four years since the Protection of Workers Act came into effect and this legislation helps us secure stronger criminal justice outcomes for those who carry out these offences on our retail workers.

“The Retail Crime Taskforce are working closely with retailers and partners to reduce retail crime, including offences of abuse and violence against retail workers. We have today launched a fresh resource for retailers to display, which should give their staff reassurance that police will take such offences seriously and that offenders will be prosecuted. I encourage retailers and their staff to report every incident of abuse or violence towards their staff."

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head, Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Shopworker abuse has become a scourge of Scotland's High Streets, something recognised by Parliament, Government, and Police Scotland. The Protection of Workers Act was a crucial first step in recognising the scale of abuse faced by shopworkers and is a vital tool in helping both deter, and take action, against the perpetrators.

“Despite the legislation, the problem remains acute. These figures show ten workers a day are threatened or abused in store, and nine are assaulted. Retailers would argue the problem is even more significant, with many offences not reported. That’s why it’s vital retailers are encouraged to report these incidents, to give Police Scotland the intelligence needed. We hope retailers will take advantage of the new materials to make it clear to customers that shopworker abuse will not be tolerated.

“Retailers are aware that the police are operating under very tight budgets. That’s why the SRC are calling for the current investment into tackling retail crime should be continued, and enhanced, in this year’s Scottish Budget. It is not inevitable shopworkers should be scared to go to work because of appalling abuse. More must be done to make high streets and shops safe again."