People who assault retail staff could soon face up to seven years in jail and $36,000 worth in fines as new legislation aimed to crack down on assaults against retail staff will be introduced.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association WA Branch Secretary Ben Harris told Oliver Peterson on 6PR Perth Live there’s been a “56% increase in the level of customer violence towards our members in just two years”. 

“We’ve continued to see an escalation in customer abuse and violence and the violence is particularly concerning but no doubt the abuse has an impact on our members psychosocial health as well,” Mr Harris said.