McMahon calls for action on tackling retail crime

Chair of the Co-operative Party Jim McMahon MP has today [Wednesday] called on the Government to take a tougher stance on retail crime and shopworker abuse.

Visiting a Co-op Store during USDAW Union’s Respect for Shopworkers Week, Mr McMahon, who is the Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, said: “Last week in the House of Commons, I raised the issue of soaring levels of violence and abuse towards our shopworkers.

"I was grateful to have the opportunity to talk to staff in-store today, and hear first-hand about the threats, violence and abuse they face on a near-daily basis.

"Retail crime is having a shocking impact on shopworkers across the country.

"No one should ever feel unsafe going to work.

"The Government must take immediate steps to protect our shopworkers and keep Britain’s shops safe.”

The latest survey data from the shopworkers’ trade union USDAW show that nearly two-thirds of shopworkers have been abused by customers in the past 12 months.

Co-operative Group research shows physical abuse towards shopworkers in their stores rose by a third (33%) year on year.

Anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse against shopworkers rose by a fifth (20%).

Despite this rise, nearly three quarters (71%) of reported crimes were not responded to by the Police.

In a bid to address the rise in retail crime, the Co-operative Party is calling on UK Ministers for a new and specific offence of assault against retail workers.

The Party successfully campaigned for similar changes to the law in Scotland with the introduction of the Protection of Workers Act, originally proposed by Co-operative MSP Daniel Johnson.

Labour’s sister Party is also calling for all shoplifting crimes to be investigated by the police, scrapping the current loophole which means those who steal goods under £200 do not need to attend court, and instead receive a fine in the post.

The Co-operative Party is the political party of the co-operative movement and has been in an electoral agreement with the Labour Party since 1927.

There are 26 Labour and Co-operative MPs and more than 1600 Labour and Co-operative local councillors, as well as elected representatives in Holyrood, the Senedd and the London Assembly and five Labour and Co-operative Metro Mayors.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.