The Sentencing Bill, which is being brought forward by the Department of Justice, will deliver more stringent sentences for a range of offences.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “Today is an important day for victims; legislation that will make a significant difference to sentencing policy is one step closer to coming into force.

“Victims of crime, and their families and representatives, have been integral to the development of this Bill.

“We have listened to the concerns they raised and we have responded.

“With levels of racially motivated hate crime in Northern Ireland at record levels, the Bill will make key changes to how we prosecute such offences.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with all those with an interest in sentencing policy as this Bill proceeds through the Assembly.”

The Bill will increase the maximum penalty for causing death, or serious injury by dangerous driving or careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, from 14 years to 20 years.

It will also introduce a new offence and higher sentences for assaulting those providing a service to the public or performing a public duty.

Drawing on a review of hate crime legislation led by Judge Desmond Marrinan, the Bill will also help victims of hate crime by modernising hate crime laws in Northern Ireland.

Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston had previously welcomed the Bill, and along with representatives from Usdaw, had met with the Justice Minister last October to champion the cause of giving retail workers better legal protection from assault.

“Retailers have campaigned strongly for this measure alongside the shop workers union, Usdaw. We were happy to engage with the Justice Minister on the subject, delighted that she has incorporated this measure into her Bill and very much welcome her introduction of the Bill to the Assembly,” said Mr Johnston.

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The Bill, which includes a new offence of assaulting a person providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing services to the public, will contain a range of significant reforms to sentencing policy.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said it was a significant step in bringing forward this important piece of legislation, which she said will have a “positive impact on the lives of thousands of people across Northern Ireland”.

“It will also introduce a new offence and higher sentences for assaulting those providing a service to the public or performing a public duty,” said the Minister.

“In developing this Bill, I have met and listened to a range of victims and stakeholder organisations. Their voices have been crucial and as we move closer to introducing the Sentencing Bill, I want to thank them for their invaluable contribution to this process.”

It had been anticipated that the Bill would be introduced to the Assembly before Christmas.

Members of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, including Director Neil Johnston, and Usdaw representatives had met with the Minister last October. NIRC, in conjunction with the shop workers trade union Usdaw, has been championing the cause of giving retail workers better legal protection from assault.

Neil Johnston told NR that this development was a welcome one and follows campaigning by NIRC for better legal protections for shop workers from abuse and violence from customers.

“We very much welcome this Bill as it includes a new offence of assaulting a person delivering a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public,” he said.

“Retailers have campaigned strongly for this measure alongside the shop workers union USDAW. We were happy to engage with the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, on the subject, delighted that she has incorporated this measure into her Bill and very much welcome her introduction of the Bill to the Assembly.

“We look forward to engaging with the Assembly on the Bill and very much hope that it makes it in to law by the end of this Assembly term. Similar measures are already in place in Scotland and in England and Wales and we hope that we can build on those experiences to ensure all retail workers – including for example delivery staff – are better protected than they are currently.

“Far too often the skilled and passionate store employees who help make our retail industry such a vibrant place to work face unacceptable abuse, intimidation, or worse whilst serving the community. It comes despite record spending by retailers on crime prevention. Such incidents have sadly been on the rise across the country, and it remains completely unacceptable.

“The Minister is to be congratulated for moving to give better protection those who serve the public.”

The Bill will create a new offence of assaulting a person delivering a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public, or a person assisting such a person.

It was also set the principles of sentencing as proportionality, fairness and transparency; and the purposes of sentencing as punishment, protection of the public (including victims of crime), deterrence, rehabilitation and reparation; while also enabling the courts to include community requirements to make suspended sentences more tailored and impactful.

It will be introduced to the Assembly within the next few weeks, as soon as Assembly pre-introduction formalities have been completed.

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Retail trade union, Usdaw said it welcomed the confirmation from Naomi Long MLA that the offence for attacking public-facing workers would be introduced in Stormont as part of the Sentencing Bill.

The announcement came in response to a written question in the Assembly from Gerry Carroll MLA, with the legislation due to starts its passage through the Assembly in January.

Responding to the written question AQW 35402-22-27, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “No-one should go to work fearing that they will face abuse.

“Although the Usdaw Freedom from Fear survey results do show a small decrease in number of instances reported, the high levels of abuse, threats and assaults faced by those working in retail remain unacceptable.

“I am fully committed to working with all partners, including businesses, the community and voluntary sector, PSNI, as well as other departments and organisations, to ensure that we continue to reduce these numbers.”

The Minister added that the new offence will carry a higher maximum penalty on conviction than the sentences currently available for similar less serious assault offences.

“Additionally, if a more serious assault offence is charged, I will make the fact that the victim is such a worker a statutory aggravating factor, meaning the courts will be required to reflect this specifically in the sentences imposed,” she said.

“These higher penalties will act as a significant deterrent and send the message that there is no place for these types of offences in our society.

“I intend to introduce this Sentencing Bill in January 2026, subject to Executive approval.”

Reacting to the response, Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary welcomed the Justice Minister following through on her promise to legislate.

“We hope it will be well received in Stormont and will attract support from MLAs across the Assembly,” she said.

“Usdaw’s latest interim survey results have shown a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of incidents retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs. However, it remains shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.”

She added that a similar offence has already been passed in Scotland and is working its way through Westminster for England and Wales.

“We look forward to our members in Northern Ireland receiving similar protections,” she said.

“In the run up to Christmas, when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated, we are calling on the shopping public to ‘respect retail workers’ and ‘keep your cool’.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

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