Overview

This bill aims to increase protection for public-facing workers in England and Wales by creating new offences and increasing sentences for existing offences involving verbal and physical abuse. It also designates attacks on these workers as an aggravating factor during sentencing for a wider range of crimes.

Description

The bill introduces two key changes to the law:

New Offences and Increased Sentences:

It creates new offences specifically for verbal and physical abuse of public-facing workers. Existing offences of common assault and battery, and harassment involving verbal abuse, will carry increased maximum sentences of up to 12 months imprisonment (currently 6 months for summary conviction). This increased sentencing applies even if the abuse happens outside of work hours but relates to the worker's duties.

Aggravating Factor:

The bill mandates that attacking a public-facing worker while they are performing their duties (or carrying out related tasks outside of work hours) be considered an aggravating factor when sentencing for a range of serious offences. This includes offences like assault, harassment, threats to kill, wounding, sexual assault, manslaughter, and kidnapping, along with related attempts or conspiracy. The court must declare this aggravating factor in open court.

The bill defines "public-facing worker" broadly to include retail workers, airline staff, public transport workers, emergency workers, call centre operators, librarians, waiters, bar staff, prison officers, social workers, and anyone involved in face-to-face or telephone interaction with the public while providing services.

The Act will come into force two months after it is passed and applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any government spending figures. The impact on government spending is indirect and relates to the potential costs associated with increased prosecutions, longer sentences, and potentially increased support for victims.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:

• Public-facing workers: They will benefit from increased legal protection against abuse.
• Perpetrators of abuse: They face harsher penalties for abusing public-facing workers.
• The criminal justice system: Increased workload due to more prosecutions and longer sentences.
• Taxpayers: Potential indirect costs associated with increased enforcement and support services.

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