Chief executives from 100 of the UK’s largest retailers have asked the prime minister to support a law to tackle violence and abuse against store staff.

The open letter addressed directly to Borish Johnson has been signed by the chief executives of Amazon UK, Tesco, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer among others.

Amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to tackle rising levels of violence and abuse against retail workers are currently in the report stage and will have a third reading in Parliament today.

Stuart Reddish, National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN), has written to all MPs in Westminster asking them to back amendment NC31, which will give new and important legal protections to those working in the retail sector who are victims of verbal or physical abuse.

This Is Local London: Bosses at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Primark are among those to write to Boris Johnson in a bid to secure support for an amendment to policing laws. Picture: PABosses at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Primark are among those to write to Boris Johnson in a bid to secure support for an amendment to policing laws. Picture: PA

Mr Reddish said: “As the representatives of the owners of over 15,000 news and convenience stores across the UK, the NFRN would ask you to support the amendment.

“The British Retail Consortium’s most recent crime survey shows a 7 per cent year-on-year increase in incidents of violence and abuse in 2019 – a shocking total of 455 cases each day.

“Recent research by retailers shows that the rate of incidents has risen even further during the coronavirus pandemic, as our members have worked hard to support their local communities and provide a shopping environment that is safe for customers and staff alike.

“No-one should face verbal or physical abuse just for going to work, but this has, for too long, been the reality of working in the retail sector.

“I would therefore ask you to stand with those who work so hard to serve their local communities, oppose threats and violence against retail workers and to support amendment NC31 this evening.”

The proposals in the amendment will give retailers in the rest of the UK the same kind of protection that has already been passed by the Scottish parliament, and are in line with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Home Affairs in its recent report on the issue.

  • Would you like to see a new law introduced to tackle violence and abuse against store staff? Let us know in the comments.