I’m supporting the British Retail Consortium’s new campaign on retail crime.

One of the biggest issues for retail employees and their families is the growing scale of retail crime. While the vast majority of customers treat retail workers with respect, the RBC’s 2021 Crime Survey found that the number of daily incidents of violence and abuse increased to 455 in 2019-20, with often terrible consequences for staff, their families and communities.

The cost of crime to the retail industry has reached £2.5 billion, money which retailers could otherwise have invested in better facilities, higher wages, and an improved offer for customers.

As we approach the busy festive period, I would like to thank shopworkers for all they do – they have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic – and call upon shoppers to treat them with the respect they deserve.