ONLY two weeks ago, Robert Halfon MP met with workers in the Co-Op in Bush Fair to hear about the “appalling abuse” they had received whilst at work. Following the meeting, Mr Halfon raised the case immediately in Parliament and directly with Ministers. 

Last night the Government announced that they would be amending the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in Parliament to make an attack on anyone providing a public service/duty, including shopworkers, an aggravated offence. 

This is the first time such an offence has been put into law and it will provide new legal protections for Harlow’s shop workers. 

Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, has strongly welcomed the announcement. He said: “I am very pleased that the Government will be making abuse of a shop worker a legal offence and that those who do abuse shop workers in any way will face the full force of the law. 

“It has been harrowing to hear the accounts from shop workers across Harlow who have faced such disgraceful acts whilst doing their job. I pay special tribute to the Co-Op workers in Bush Fair who I met with two weeks ago and who have campaigned so passionately on this issue. 

“I will continue to do everything possible to support Harlow’s brilliant shop workers who provide a public service for our town and have worked so hard throughout the pandemic.”