Pharmacy: Crimes of Violence

(asked on 13th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle violence against pharmacy staff.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 21st December 2022

The Government is clear that violence and abuse towards any worker is not acceptable. We introduced a statutory aggravating factor for assault against any public facing worker via section 156 of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The aggravating factor applies in cases of assault where an offence is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public.

This legislative change ensures the courts treat the public-facing nature of a victim’s role as an aggravating factor when considering the sentence for an offence.

The Home Office works closely with the police-led National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) to understand the crimes affecting businesses and help ensure businesses and police are working effectively together. The NBCC has dedicated guidance on its website NBCC Guidance for staff working in pharmacies to help prevent crimes including violence and abuse.

Reticulating Splines