Assaulting a retail worker is to be made a standalone criminal offence, the Home Office has announced. Serial or abusive shoplifters will face tougher punishments under the new action announced by the Prime Minister last week to crack down on retail crime and protect UK highstreets. Perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and be banned from going back to the shop where they committed their crimes, with Criminal Behaviour Orders barring them visiting specific premises. Breaching an order is also a criminal offence and carries a five-year maximum prison sentence. For the most serious cases of assault, such as causing grievous bodily harm with intent, offenders could face a life sentence.
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