Co-op shop workers suffer three 'shocking and brutal' attacks

Central England Co-op has said the Government needs to do more to protect its shop staff following three "shocking and brutal" attacks.
The Co-op has shared details of three 'shocking' attacks on staff.The Co-op has shared details of three 'shocking' attacks on staff.
The Co-op has shared details of three 'shocking' attacks on staff.

The retailer, which has more than 260 stores spread across 16 counties, released details of the three "appalling" attacks – one of which included a knife and another a wrench – as part of a campaign to introduce a new law to protect shop workers.

The first incident, in Markfield, Leicester, saw a shop worker verbally abused, physically attacked and then robbed while he lay injured on the floor.

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The second incident, which happened this week in Barnsley, saw a criminal stab a member of staff during a robbery at the store.

The third incident resulted in a member of staff in Shepshed, Leicestershire, being hit on the head and threatened with a wrench after asking a customer for ID while trying to buy an energy drink. The customer then attempted to leave the store without paying for the drink.

A Co-op spokesman said: "Thankfully, all three are recovering from their injuries and major investigations have been launched by local police forces."

Craig Goldie, Loss Prevention Manager, said: “These three incidents are truly shocking and showcase why the Government urgently needs to do more to better protect our front line shop workers.

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“Stronger laws and punishments are needed for criminals who feel that it acceptable to target shop workers in these types of brutal and appalling ways.

“While we continue to campaign for more to be done, we also want to send a message to would-be criminals. We have a zero tolerance approach to any kind of crime and, if you still want to commit a crime, we will work around the clock with local police forces to bring you to justice in an effort to keep our colleagues and customers safe.”

Central England Co-op has been campaigning with other retailers for more to be done to protect those ensuring communities have access to food and essential goods.

The campaign has received backing from more than 200 MPs up and down the country and from across the pollical divide. Support has also come from several police forces and police and crime commissioners.

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The retailer is also encouraging customers and members to pledge their support for more Government action by signing an online petition set up by the Co-operative Party.

People can sign it here: https://party.coop/retailviolencebill

Since the lockdown was introduced, there have been more than 100 incidents related directly to people using COVID-19 as a threat.

There have been multiple threats by customers to cough on staff and ‘give them coronavirus’ and further threats of assaults because people have had to queue to enter stores, social distance or simply because they do not have a specific product.

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Over the past three years, Central England Co-op has invested heavily in measures to protect staff including fitting stores with external motion detectors and a centrally monitored CCTV system fitted which allows colleagues to call for assistance at the touch of a button.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Violence of any form against shopworkers is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. That is why we have set out a comprehensive plan to address the drivers of violence and assaults, support shopworkers and reduce this crime.

“Alongside this, the Government has provided a package of measures to support staff and retailers, including £1m of funding over three years for the police-led National Business Crime Centre, which is working to improve communication between police forces on business crime, promote training and advice, and help identify national and local trends.”

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