William Wragg MP joins campaign to combat the abuse and intimidation of shopworkers
Recently, I met with those who work at the Church Lane, Marple CO-OP store to discuss a campaign to end abuse and intimidation of shopworkers. Retail workers, worked extraordinarily hard over the last year, ensuring shelves are stocked so food and supplies could be available for us during the pandemic.
I was grateful to staff from the Church Lane CO-OP, who kindly shared with me their experiences; particularly those during the pandemic, of abuse that they’ve received and the impact it has had on them. These are people who have been critical key workers during the pandemic. We must ensure that they feel safe in their place of work.
Unfortunately, this problem has only grown in recent years, with an estimated 140% year on year increase in reported instances of abuse and intimidation towards shop workers across the United Kingdom.
Due to the tireless work of campaigners and an online petition receiving thousands of signatures, this issue has now been taken directly to Parliament. Last week, I joined MPs from all parties discussed the need for raising awareness of current laws to tackle this abuse. We urged the Government to consider additional measures should police forces across the UK require them.
I will continue to work with colleagues in Parliament, and the local Police here in Stockport, to ensure that shopworkers feel safe in their workplace, that they have the confidence to report abuse. The small minority who commit such crimes must feel the full weight of the law.