COMMENT

AS THE daughter of shopkeepers, I know what an important role their businesses play in our communities.

That dedication to serving their customers has never been clearer and more crucial than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Staff have worked tirelessly to keep the nation fed.

So it is utterly disgraceful for shopworkers to face any form of violence or abuse – and I will not tolerate it.

I share the disgust of Daily Express readers that those who have gone the extra mile during this hugely challenging period should find themselves subjected to such despicable attacks.

And my message is clear – the individuals responsible for these crimes must be caught and punished.

We are taking action to crack down on abuse and violence against shopworkers.

Last month we set out a number of steps we are taking to improve support for victims and ensure perpetrators face justice.

These include developing best practice guidance to support staff in reporting crimes, making full use of existing laws and improving data sharing between businesses and police. Alongside this, I am continuing to drive forward our work to deliver on the people’s priorities by making our communities safer.

We are backing the police with an additional 20,000 officers and the most generous funding settlement for a decade, as well as more powers to tackle serious violence and to keep dangerous weapons off the streets. Over 4,000 additional police officers are already in our communities helping to keep us safe.

Violent crime of any kind is absolutely unacceptable and I am determined to ensure we use every tool to bear down on this scourge.

It is the criminals, not the law-abiding majority, who should live in fear.