Violent customers could be banned from NSW stores under tough new laws

Key points

• Violent customers could be banned from retail stores and shopping centres across NSW under proposed laws introduced on Tuesday. Businesses could apply for Workplace Protection Orders that stop offenders from entering workplaces, contacting staff or possessing weapons.
• Breaching an order could bring up to two years in jail, a $5500 fine, or both. The government says almost 9000 retail workers were assaulted last year.
• The reforms would roll out over 12 months, starting in retail with possible expansion to other industries.