Briefing:Campaign Briefing: Violence Against Shop Workers From: Emma Hoddinott For attention of: Council Candidates, Labour & Co-operative Councillors Published: 11th January 2019 Last updated: 24th June 2020 Printed: 23rd April 2024 Other formats: Print A briefing about the campaigning across the Co-op movement to address the issue of violence against shop workers, and ideas of how Councillors and candidates can also take part. Every day, more than 250 retail workers face violence, just for doing their jobs. Six of those incidents will involve a knife, and two a gun. A lot of these shops sit in the heart of the community, and these instances impact on the workers and sense of safety in the community. From alcohol and cigarettes to knives and acid, there are now more than 50 types of products that are restricted by law. It’s staff on the shop floor who we expect to enforce those laws, and who all too often pay the price in the form of violence, threats and verbal and physical abuse from customers. As shops re-open following Covid-19, retail workers are once again on the frontline, with added responsibility to oversee rules for public protection. The Co-op movement is working to raise the profile of this issue through our politicians and affiliated trade unions, and co-op businesses are already taking practical action to work with staff and communities. Raise the profile Work with trade unions like USDAW to raise the profile of this issue and ensure your community safety and policing plans tackle the issue of violence against shop workers and recognise the impact on the individuals and community. USADW run a Freedom from Fear Campaign which includes a Respect Week in November. More information and materials are available here: https://www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Freedom-From-Fear Within your own council, you can find out how the issue affects your community and how police partnerships are tackling it: Will your local police provide information about retail crime in your area? Or you can see crime in your area by searching crime map on www.police.uk Does your Community Safety Partnership (of which the council is a member) cover the issue of violence against shop workers? Does you Police and Crime Commissioner recognise the issue in their police and crime plan? Can the issue be raised by your representatives on the police and crime panel? Take Action Labour & Co-op MPs have been raising the issue in Parliament and in particular are seeking a change to the law to secure stronger protections for shop workers selling age-restricted products, and tougher penalties against those who assault or threaten them. UNISON has developed an End Violence at Work Charter, which may help raise this issue also within the council. You may want to look at how this can be implemented locally. You can sign up to our campaign here Campaign with Police and Crime Commissioner Candidates Retail workers have been on the frontline as key workers during the pandemic. As high streets and shops start to re-open, this is a good time to raise awareness of the issue of violence against shopworkers and our #Notpartofthejob campaign. Co-op candidates have been sent a pack of campaign materials to take this campaign to the high street. Action Points Sign up to our campaign. Look at what your council can do to support the campaign. Talk to your Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate For more information Local Government Officer Emma Hoddinott