Law must protect our shop workers

A NATIONWIDE campaign for a new law to protect retail workers from thugs is launched today.

The move comes after a surge in violence and abuse during the pandemic. MPs of all parties are being urged to sign the Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge.

It calls for improved legislation so yobs convicted of attacking or abusing retail staff face “the full force of the law”.

A survey by the British Retail Consortium revealed there are more than 400 incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers every day.

Attacks have risen despite retailers spending a staggering £ 1.2billion on crime prevention measures every year.

Helen Dickinson, British Retail Consortium chief executive, said: “These incidents have multiplied during the pandemic, which is why we are now calling on MPs from all parties to sign the Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge.”

The BRC says the common triggers for violence and abuse include challenging shoplifters, enforcing age- restricted sales and implementing social distancing and other virus safety measures.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has already vowed to take action.

The BRC is calling for tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers through the creation of a specific criminal offence. Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, West Yorks, said: “Having spent many years working in retail, I am acutely aware of the unacceptable abuse shopworkers face all too regularly.

“Coronavirus should have shown us how much we rely on our shopworkers and appreciate them more and yet abuse has gone up which is outrageous.”