
Campaign to make abuse of roadworkers unacceptable to ask for equal protection under criminal justice bill.
Following the announcement that assaulting a shop worker is to be made a separate criminal offence after a government U-turn following pressure from campaigners, Stamp it Out is urging the government to afford the same protection to all public facing workers.
In launching a petition to afford the same protection to all those in public facing roles but specifically those with high levels of interface with the public such as road and railways workers, the campaign aims to formly place the issue underneath the noses of those responsible for legislative change.
In the petition, entitled Extend planned offence of assaulting retail workers to all public-facing roles, it's aims are stated as
"The Government is planning to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to create a specific offence of assaulting retail workers, with custodial sentences up to 6 months and unlimited fines for offenders. The Government should now extend this to all public facing roles."
"We believe abuse of those who work in a public facing role is on the increase as societal tolerance decreases. We think people in other public-facing roles are now at equal risk compared to those who work in the retail sector and should be afforded the same levels of protection."
Speaking about the launch of the petition, Louise Cope, Managing Directopr of GTM and vice chair of Stamp it Out explained the reasoning behind its launch, she said,
"Abuse of all people in public facing roles has become a massive societal issue over the last few years and whilst we applaud the government for its legislative changes under the criminal justice bill our belief is that they need to go further.
"In launching the petition we hope to galvanise the whole of the transportation secotr behind us as we call for greater protection of our workforces."
At 10,000 signatures, government will respond to this petition and at 100,000 signatures this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament
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