Luke Pollard MP is encouraging people who work in retail to submit evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s investigation into violence against shop workers. Sadly, more retail workers in Plymouth have been experiencing violence towards them since the start of the pandemic.

Luke has been a long-time supporter of the USDAW campaign to protect shop workers from violence and has backed legislation to make attacks on shop workers who are enforcing laws like age-related restrictions to be an aggravating offence.

Luke said:

“The pandemic has shown who the real key workers in our country are. It’s not just the NHS and care workers on the frontline, but retail workers too. Sadly, far too many people who work in retail in our city have been subject to threats and violence for simply doing their job.

 

This new inquiry will look at Police response, barriers to justice for victims and how we make working in retail safer. I encourage people who work in shops in our city to take a moment out and submit their views. The Committee is looking for experiences and so any views will be welcome and help inform their work.”

The survey is available here.

The Committee welcomes written submissions addressing some or all of the issues set out in the terms of reference:

•             The police response to incidents of abuse and violence towards retail workers;

•             Barriers to justice for victims of retail abuse and violence;

•             Whether a new aggravated offence is required;

•             The adequacy of the Government’s response to its call for evidence.

More information about how to submit evidence is available here. The Committee requests that submissions of evidence be submitted by Friday 15 January 2021.