Retailers Call for Bill Amendment to End ‘Shocking Violence and Abuse’ by Store Workers | Economic news

Bosses of UK’s biggest retailers want the Prime Minister to help end “shocking violence and abuse” by store workers.

Executives from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Primark are said to be among those allegedly writing to Boris Johnson asking for an amendment to the police laws.

Violence against store workers has increased in recent years, according to retailers, but it has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic as workers have found themselves having to enforce rules such as the wearing of masks by customers.

The letter, coordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said amending the Police, Crime, Sentences and Courts Bill would help improve the situation.

The letter says: “One company reports a 76% increase in abuse and a 10% increase in violent attacks during COVID-19, more than half of which involved a weapon, and many of our colleagues coughed or spat on them.

“This was a very serious problem for retailers long before the pandemic and the situation cannot get worse – there is now a clear need for better legal protection for retail workers. “

Helen Dickinson, CEO of BRC, said: “Retail workers face violence and abuse on a daily basis just to do their jobs – keeping customers safe during the pandemic, checking IDs and facing off. shoplifters.

“Behind each of these statistics hides a person, a family, colleagues and communities who are dealing with this trauma.

“No one should go to work fearing for their safety, but many traders have come to see it as part of their job – it cannot continue.”

The BRC said retailers spent £ 1.2 billion in the past year on crime prevention measures such as body-worn cameras, personal attack alarms and security personnel.

The most recent retailer survey showed a 7% year-over-year increase in violence and abuse in 2019 at …