PCC supports campaign to protect shop workers this Christmas

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane is backing a campaign which raises awareness about the abuse retail workers have faced during the pandemic.

It comes as retail trade union Usdaw revealed that every minute of the working day during the pandemic, a shop worker nationally has been verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked. 

To raise awareness of the issue, PCC David Keane is supporting the Keeping Christmas Kind campaign which launches today (1 December) and is asking people to respect our vital Cheshire shop workers this Christmas.

The campaign includes a hard-hitting film featuring real people who have put themselves at risk working in essential shops, keeping families fed and providing vital human interaction for so many people who have been alone at home for much of the year.

It features testaments from the families of three shop workers who have spoken out about the abuse their loved ones have faced during the pandemic.

This includes Mrs Paleja, the owner of a small newsagents for the last 32 years with her husband who recently was diagnosed with dementia. She is now a full-time carer whilst also managing the running of her much-loved family business.

In the campaign film, her daughter Mita describes her mother as a superwoman and tells of the abuse she has faced during the pandemic: “My mum is just trying to do her job. She has been threatened with a knife, verbally abused and pushed. She fractured her wrist as a result of that. I’m worried about her safety. Please consider to be kind this Christmas, there is a family behind every business.”

PCC David Keane says enough is enough: “When the current lockdown ends tomorrow, we are going to see many people going on last-minute shopping sprees for Christmas presents and there is a potential for the tensions of the last year to spill over on the high street.

“I am concerned that those on our festive frontline could bear the brunt of some shoppers’ frustrations about wearing masks and distancing measures, leading to more abuse and assaults.

“Shop workers across Cheshire are going above and beyond for their customers and, just like Mrs Paleja, they may have been mistreated and abused.

“It’s time to show some respect and kindness to those working hard on our festive frontline to feed our families and ensure they have gifts this Christmas.”

To watch the campaign film click here: #KeepingChristmasKind - full film - YouTube

To take part in the online conversation search for #KeepingChristmasKind and #ShopworkerSuperhero on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.