A CAMPAIGN seeking to prevent violence, threats and abuse directed at retail staff has received the backing of a Bolton MP.

The Freedom From Fear campaign has been launched by the shop workers union, USDAW, and union members were joined at an event in Parliament by Bolton North East MP David Crausby.

Part of the campaign is to call for a Protection of Workers Bill which would introduce a specific offence of assaulting a worker serving the public, extending protections that currently exist for police officers, immigration officers and Scottish emergency service workers.

Mr Crausby said: “Too often retail employees are confronted with violence, threats and abuse and it is really important we stand together and ask people to respect shop workers.

“I support Usdaw’s campaign for stiffer sentences and I’ve been very disappointed to see Tory and Liberal MPs, on five occasions in the current Parliament, combine to block this measure when proposed by Labour.”

He added that he believes making the assault of a worker who is serving the public an offence in its own right would “simplify” sentencing.

He added: "Under existing guidelines, assaulting a worker is an aggravating factor, but there are concerns this is not being applied when decisions are made about prosecutions and sentencing.

“I will continue to campaign with Usdaw for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out. We must give a clear message that assaulting workers who are serving the public is totally unacceptable.”

The union, led by general secretary John Hannett, is now preparing to launch a Respect for Shopworkers week, from November 10 to 14, which will highlight the issues.

The union are also planning to continue lobbying the government and other political parties in the run-up to the general election next May, continuing the call for a change in the law to give shop workers better protection.

Are you a shop worker in the Bolton borough who has been the victim of violent crime and believe there should be a change in the law? Contact us on 01204537271.