Bassetlaw: MP campaigns against violence, threats and abuse directed at retail staff

Bassetlaw MP John Mann has joined with members of the retail union Usdaw to campaign for shop workers as part of the Freedom From Fear Campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse directed at retail staff.
USDAW-Freedom from Fear at House of CommonsUSDAW-Freedom from Fear at House of Commons
USDAW-Freedom from Fear at House of Commons

John Mann has pledged to support a protection of workers bill that would introduce a specific offence of assaulting a worker serving the public, thereby extending existing protections for police officers, immigration officers and Scottish emergency workers.

John Mann said: “I support Usdaw’s campaign for stiffer sentences and I’ve been disappointed to see the Government, on five occasions in the current Parliament, work to block this measure.”

“We must give a clear message that assaulting workers who are serving the public is totally unacceptable.”

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said: “We are grateful to John Mann for supporting our campaign to keep our members safe at work.”

“I have been shocked by the leniency of some of the sentences for assault. Over 300 shop workers are assaulted every day and the Government must address this issue quickly.”