Our shopworkers need better protection from abuse, says MP Mike

EAST Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury has vowed to support efforts for better protection for shop workers from violence and abuse.

Mr Amesbury, Labour, said recent months had shown the “difficult job” they do.

His comments came as he signed up to support the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge, which aims to press for legislation securing better protection.

A spokesman for Mr Amesbury’s office said the industry spends more than £1.2bn per year on crime prevention but workers continue to endure 400 incidents of violence and abuse every day.

Common triggers include challenging shoplifters, enforcing age-restricted sales and implementing social distancing and other coronavirus safety measures.

The pledge calls for tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers through the creation of a specific criminal offence.

Mr Amesbury said: “The last few months have made it even more apparent just what a difficult job retail workers are often asked to do under very demanding circumstances.

“We need to do all we can to ensure no one faces violence or abuse in the workplace, and I will support legislation to protect retail staff in Weaver Vale and beyond.”

Helen Dickinson OBE, British Retail Consortium chief executive, said: “Every day, hundreds of hardworking

CCTV footage of a shopkeeper being confronted by an armed, masked gang. Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury (below right) has called for better protection for shop staff retail staff are subjected to violence or abuse in their place of work.

“These incidents leave physical and emotional scars, and affect not only the victim, but also their families, colleagues, and communities.

“Sadly, existing law, meant to protect these workers, is not fit for purpose, and many of these heinous crimes continue to go unpunished.

“We are calling on MPs from all parties to come together and sign the

Shopworkers Protection Pledge.

“On behalf of the three million people who work in retail; their families and their communities, there is one simple message: doing nothing is not an option.”

In August, the retail trade union Usdaw launched a parliamentary petition calling for better protections, citing reports in Cheshire including a shop workers being spat in the face by a thief, having a tin of beans thrown at them over incorrect prices and kicked by an older customer who also called them names.

Another received verbal abuse for refusing to serve alcohol.