Violence at Work

Protection for retail staff rejected by Lords

A protection of shopworkers amendment to the Offensive Weapons Bill was unsuccessful during the recent report stage debate in the House of Lords. Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “Peers had the opportunity to rebalance the Offensive Weapons Bill and provide some protections for retail staff, who will be enforcing the law, but as it was clear that there was insufficient support in the House we understand why it was not pushed to a vote.”