Morrisons is among 30 UK restaurants and supermarket groups, accounting for more than 3,000 sites in total, that have written to the Home Secretary, calling for greater protection for delivery riders in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

The joint letter forms part of Deliveroo’s ‘Right to Ride Safely’ campaign, which launched in November 2024, and is backed by trade union GMB and the British Retail Consortium.

The government’s proposed Crime and Policing Bill, which includes tougher laws on retail crime, is set to be put before parliament today (25 February).

The bill, which will mostly apply in England and Wales, contains more than 50 measures, including stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and creating a standalone offence of assaulting or threatening a retail worker when they’re at their place of work.

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However, the letter’s signatories, which also include Pizza Express, Wingstop and Bella Italia, have said the bill stops short of protecting delivery riders when they are making a delivery.

The group is calling on the government to protect delivery riders for the entire duration of their delivery – from accepting the order, to dropping it off.

In the letter calling for change, the group told Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that “delivery riders are an essential lifeline for our industry, connecting our businesses to homes, workplaces and communities nationwide. They help us keep the UK’s hospitality and retail sectors thriving and play a vital role in boosting high streets and local economies.”

Deliveroo’s campaign was launched after figures found that there has been a 28% increase in the total number of abusive reports of racism and sexual and illegal activity, such as theft of an order, a rider’s vehicle, or their delivery equipment.

The group added: “There are real people behind these numbers – people who face physical and verbal assault, racism, sexism and theft. It’s time for the government to act and send a clear message: abuse against delivery riders will not be tolerated.

“The UK hospitality and retail industries play a vital role in the UK’s economy and delivery riders are integral to that. Protecting them must be a priority for us all.”