Exclusion of bank branch staff from Crime and Policing Bill a “significant oversight”

The call comes as the government prepares to introduce a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers under the Crime and Policing Bill. However, according to UK Finance, the new legislation does not currently cover staff working in banks and building societies.

The industry’s trade body described the exclusion as a “significant oversight”, adding that it “unfairly discriminates against branch staff”.

In evidence submitted to Parliament, it said: “Like other retail workers in customer-facing settings, branch staff have a right to feel safe on the job, and it is just as important to send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on branch workers are unacceptable and will not go unpunished.

“Bank branches are unique among high street businesses, given how closely they deal with customers’ money each and every day. This role is closely tied to people’s sense of security and future aspirations, which can provoke strong emotions – both positive and negative – from customers.”

Research from UK Finance found that there were more than 10,000 incidents of abuse directed at bank and building society workers last year.