The Government says this will ensure the police and courts have the necessary powers to help tackle assaults against retail workers. However, high street bank branch workers, and those who provide banking services (such as in a Post Office) are not included in these new protections.

We believe this is an oversight and that there is a very strong case for this new offence, and the associated penalties, to apply to those who assault financial services staff working in high street branches of banks and building societies.

UK Finance’s submission to Public Bill Committee examining the Crime and Policing Bill sets out key reasons for amending the Bill to expand the definition of retail worker so that it includes staff working in high street banks and building societies. We provide data showing the significant level of abuse currently directed at these frontline workers, which we believe justifies this amendment to the Bill.