Save our shop staff

Shop-workers are the unheralded heroes of the pandemic.

They’ve had to keep working at every stage of the crisis.

And they have to deal with all customers, whether they stick to the rules or not.

It’s a fairly thankless task.

But on top of the daily risk to their health, we are now hearing they are under regular attack.

It ranges from people shouting and screaming at them over being asked to wear a mask.

To more sinister assaults, including in one case a shop worker being threatened with an axe.

This is disgraceful.

These people are keeping us in food and essentials – and should be treated with more respect.

Bosses are asking that the Government bring in tougher laws to protect their staff from scumbags.

They should do this as soon as humanly possible.