The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a pledge that seeks to protect shopworkers from violence.
The pledge follows after the BRC 2020 Retail Crime Survey revealed that more than 400 incidents of violence and abuse, involving retail workers, occur on a daily basis.
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It has been noted that such occurrences take place even after retailers spend £1.2bn on crime prevention measures to keep their employees safe.
A total of 11 cross-party MPs have added their name to the pledge and MPs from all parties are being urged to put their name in support of the cause.
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Every day, hundreds of hardworking retail colleagues are subjected to violence or abuse in their place of work.
“These incidents can leave physical and emotional scars, and affect not only the victim but also their families, colleagues and communities.
“Sadly, the legislation meant to protect these workers is not fit for purpose, and many of these heinous crimes continue to go unpunished.
“These incidents have multiplied during the pandemic, which is why we are now 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.”
