Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry has backed a new petition calling on the government to make violence or abuse against retail workers a standalone criminal offence.
The petition, which was lodged with parliament this week by Tesco worker Jenny Whyte, is urging for tougher laws protecting shop staff.
This comes as violent incidents against store workers at the leading retailer are up by a third on this time last year.
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According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), there are 850 incidents each day of violence and abuse towards British store staff.
Tarry said he is “fully behind” the petition, adding “we want our colleagues to be safe at work.”
“Creating a standalone offence not only sends a strong message to the small but violent group of people who abuse and attack shopworkers, but also makes it clear to shopworkers that as a nation we take protecting them seriously.
“I would encourage anyone who wants to see retail workers better protected to sign the petition, as every signature makes a difference.”
As the petition has already been backed by thousands of people across Britain, if the number of signatories passes 10,000, the government will have to respond to it, and if it gathers 100,000, it may be debated in parliament.
In a bid to protect colleagues from assault, Tesco began offering store workers body worn cameras in September and introduced new protective screens earlier this month at hundreds of its Express stores and petrol station kiosks.
