Supermarket chiefs step up security after alarming rise in violence against staff

SUPERMARKET chiefs have stepped up security after an alarming rise in violence against staff.

The number of serious assaults – some involving weapons – has rocketed by half during the pandemic, according to figures obtained by Trending In The News on Sunday.

Tesco have reported 20,000 serious incidents on workers in the past year, meaning one in every 12 employees has been the target for an attack.

The chain has spent £250 million on extra security measures to protect its staff.

Last night a Tory MP called for a specific offence of assaulting shop workers and other customer-facing frontline workers.

Former minister Esther McVey said that they should be given extra government support if they are expected to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing inside stores.

She said: “There seems to be a disregard for our hard-working shop workers who have had to deliver many of the Government’s policies, effectively policing Covid rules.

“We need to look after and protect them just as they have spent the last 15 months protecting us by continuing to work and ensuring the nation was fed.

“These front line staff are taking the brunt of what is going on and dealing with frustrations surrounding Covid rules, and it is horrific that they are being subjected to violent attacks for simply doing their job.

“The Government needs to show it is on the side of our workers and will do whatever is necessary to protect them and ensure the full force of the law for those who attack them. That is why an offence in its own right for assault on a shop worker is needed.”

Tesco reported 2,732 violent attacks in its London stores in 2020-21, up 22 per cent on the previous year.

Next worst area was Manchester and surrounding boroughs where there were 2,444, a rise of 86 per cent.

Last night chief executive officer Jason Tarry backed moves for new laws to enhance protection of the company’s 250,000 staff.

He said: “Every day our colleagues, along with hundreds of other retail
workers, in every region of the UK face abuse, threats of violence and are even assaulted, simply for doing their jobs.

“This is not acceptable. Our stores should be safe places to work and shop.

“There is an opportunity to change the law that will increase the protection of shop workers as they carry out their daily tasks and we welcome the support of Blue Collar MPs on this critical issue.”