A petition lodged by a Tesco worker calling on the government to make violence or abuse against retail workers a standalone criminal offence has reached over 10,000 signatures in four days.
Having surpassed this figure, the government now must respond to the petition which has been backed by Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry.
One of the fastest growing petitions this week on the official parliament website, it is urging lawmakers to act and toughen up the laws protecting shop staff.
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This comes as violent incidents against store workers at the leading retailer are up by a third on this time last year.
Industry-wide, there are 850 incidents each day of violence and abuse towards British store staff, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Speaking of the petition, Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry said: “I am fully behind the petition to make the abuse of retail workers a standalone offence. 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.”
If the petition gathers 100,000 signatures, it may be debated in parliament.
