SHOPKIND CAMPAIGN

MEDIA: CRIMESTOPPERS

CUSTOMERS URGED TO #SHOPKIND

A NEW CAMPAIGN FROM CRIMESTOPPERS, THE HOME OFFICE AND RETAILERS IS URGING CUSTOMERSTO #SHOPKIND AS THEY BEGIN TO RETURN TO THE HIGH STREET.

Retailers, the Home Office and independent charity Crimestoppers have come together to launch a new campaign that urges the public to ShopKind after the reopening of more shops.

The #ShopKind campaign encourages the public to be mindful of shopworkers’ essential role in supporting people during these difficult times, and emphasises that they should treat workers and also other customers with respect, kindness and gratitude.

The campaign is backed by the Home Office and supported by major high street retailers, supermarkets and the local retailing sector, as well as trade associations and shopworkers union Usdaw.

The Association of Convenience Stores’ 2021 Crime Report, which was published last month, shows that over the past year there have been over 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse, and around 40,000 incidents of violence against people working in convenience stores. Of these, more than a quarter involved a weapon, such as a knife, hammer, axe, or syringe.

Two-thirds of retailers (65%) had experienced Covid-related threats, with the most common causes of abuse being reminding customers to wear face coverings, reminding customers of social distancing measures and queueing outside stores.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Throughout the pandemic, shop staff have been the lifeline for many in our communities, and I am grateful for their vital service. Violence and abuse towards shop workers is utterly despicable and unacceptable, everyone has the right to feel safe at work.

“As the daughter of shopkeepers, I fully support ShopKind, a reminder to customers to consider their behaviour towards shop staff, and I encourage all retailers to fully support it.”

If you have any information about someone who is abusive or violent towards retail and shop staff, please let Crimestoppers know. You can contact them 100% anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111 or through its untraceable Anonymous Online Form.

Kevin Tindall, MD, Tesco Convenience

“Our colleagues and those across retail work hard to serve customers every day and the vast majority of customers are very appreciative. Our stores should be safe places to work and shop, and any form of antisocial behaviour is unacceptable. We support the ShopKind campaign in reminding shoppers of the vital role that those working in retail have played during the pandemic and the amazing job they continue to do in keeping customers safe and feeding the nation.”

James Lowman, Chief Executive at the Association of Convenience Stores

“Convenience stores have been open throughout the pandemic, keeping communities going and being first to adapt to keep customers and colleagues safe through Covid-secure measures. While the majority of customers have been incredibly supportive and embody the messages of the ShopKind campaign, there are still too many people being abusive and violent to retailers and their colleagues. We fully support ShopKind, which serves as an important reminder of the essential work that convenience stores have done over the last year and continue to do to as the rest of retail reopens.”

Paul Gerrard, Co-op Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs

“No one should have to face violence and abuse just fordoing their job, and nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of shopworkers who work tirelessly within communities – they deserve thanks, not abuse, threats and violence. They also deserve for the law to better protect them as they go about their daily working lives. It does now in Scotland, but not in the rest of the UK and so we continue to call for Government to show that it is listening and to send out a clear message that anti-social behaviour and attacks on shopworkers is not acceptable.”