The Victorian Government will today introduce new crime laws aimed at targeting violent and abusive behaviour towards retail and hospitality staff.
Under the planned crackdown, offenders who threaten or attack workers will face a possible prison sentence of up to five years.
Premier Jacinta Allen told Today this morning the tougher penalties were urgently needed because people working in shops and hospitality venues were facing more violent incidents.
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"These new laws to provide a sends a very clear message that there will be serious consequences for anyone who threatens abusers or a retail worker ... they need to be protected," she said.
The proposed new laws add ram raids to the list of offences initially announced 18 months ago.
Cases of criminals driving vehicles into a business to steal will be classified as aggravated burglary.
The Victorian government has been under enormous pressure from small traders, big business and trade unions over a wave of violent crimes and abuse copped by workers in retail, delivery services and hospitality.
"I used to work the checkouts at the local supermarket ... but what we've seen in recent times is just too much of this behaviour," said Allen.
"There is an important difference between a customer hell and a customer who harms. Retail workers know it."
Allen said the government will introduce the bill to parliament today, with the aim that it becomes law by the end of this year.
The premier has spent this week announcing crackdowns on violent offenders, including shifting some serious offences from the children's court to adult courts.
If found guilty of some violent offences, children as young as 14 could be sentenced to life in prison.
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