18.06.2007
Griffith, Nia

That this House congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) on its groundbreaking Freedom from Fear campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; recognises that the campaign has contributed to a significant and welcome recent fall in the number of reported incidents by negotiating better health and safety measures with employers and raising awareness with the shopping public; notes with concern that in 2006 there were still over 10,000 physical attacks on shopworkers and 62,000 reported incidents of verbal abuse; welcomes Usdaw's Respect for Shopworkers Day on 11th July, which seeks to raise awareness of the role local crime and disorder reduction partnerships should play in tackling issues of anti-social behaviour in and around shops and shopping areas, which are often at the centre of communities; and calls on hon. Members to help promote the use of anti-social behaviour orders and acceptable behaviour contracts to tackle persistent retail crime offenders.