NFRN to continue to push the police and government to act on retail crime

By Liz Wells in Industry News 9th June 2021

The NFRN has vowed to leave no stone unturned as it continues to press the police and government to do more to tackle growing incidents of violence, threats, and abuse against those working in retail.

The comments followed a Westminster Hall debate earlier this week about greater protection for workers. MPs from all parties paid tribute to the efforts that all those working in the retail sector went to throughout the pandemic, agreeing that it was “completely unacceptable” that incidents of retail crime were rising.

National president, Stuart Reddish, said: “Independent retailers have been and continue to be at the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, and have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near-daily basis for simply doing their jobs. Nobody should have to deal with such incidents but, sadly, all too often retail workers have come to see it as just that – part of the job.

“We will continue to lobby the government to tighten the law so that any form of attack on shop workers is taken more seriously and ensure there are more stringent penalties for those who commit such crimes. I would also urge everyone involved in retail to report every crime incident.”