TWO Bradford MPs have thrown their backing behind shopworkers after retail giant Co-op called for action to protect their staff from violence.

The company said attacking shopworkers should be a standalone offence in a bid to tackle the growing problem.

There were more than 300,000 incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour in Co-op stores last year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: There have been a number of attacks of violence against Co-op workers, including this store in Heaton.There have been a number of attacks of violence against Co-op workers, including this store in Heaton. (Image: Google Street View)

An offence of attacking a shopworker is an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which is soon to be debated in Parliament.

Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, said: “It is imperative MPs vote through the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to give my colleagues the protection they deserve.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins said: “Absolutely no one should have to go to work expecting to be threatened with violence while doing their job.

“I fully support measures to keep shopworkers safe at work. I supported Labour’s amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which would have better protected these workers by making assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence.

“I have also long supported USDAW’s Freedom From Fear Campaign against abuse of shopworkers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: There have been a number of attacks of violence against Co-op workers, including this store in Wibsey.There have been a number of attacks of violence against Co-op workers, including this store in Wibsey. (Image: Google Street View)

“It is unacceptable that three-quarters of retail staff have experienced verbal or physical abuse from customers at work.”

“Let’s not forget that it was retail and shop workers who put their own health at risk to keep us fed during the pandemic.

“They, like everyone else, deserve to do their job without fear of assault and abuse.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “As someone who worked for ASDA for 12 years before entering Parliament, assaults on shopworkers is a subject close to my heart and I have worked very closely with the Co-op on this issue.

“Assaulting a shopworker or any other frontline worker is already an offence - brought in two years ago - and I was delighted to play a leading role in bringing that about.

“Clearly it is important for retailers to always report these assaults, for the police to fully investigate them and for the CPs to prosecute them.

“There should be a zero-tolerance policy to assaults on shopworkers.”

The news comes after incidents at Co-ops in Bradford in recent years.

Four men threatened Co-op staff with weapons during an armed robbery in March 2019.

The robbers attacked the Wibsey store, on Fair Road, and stole cigarettes, before fleeing the scene.

Police were called to incident at the Co-op on High Park Drive, Heaton, in December 2022.

West Yorkshire Police reported a male entered the shop, verbally threatened staff and stole money from the till.