Protect store workers

SGF looks to rekindle attempts to get emergency service link.

SGF chief executive Pete Cheema
SGF chief executive Pete Cheema

THE Scottish Grocers Federation has called for shop workers to be given the same legal protection as other front-line staff.
SGF chief executive Pete Cheema raised the issue at the federation’s recent retail crime seminar. He said: “In-store crime impacts on retailers, their staff, their families and on customers. That’s why we are calling on whichever party forms the next Scottish government to pass legislation to give shop workers the same protection as emergency workers.
“Shop workers are front line staff and are too often at the sharp end of violence and intimidation.”
Currently, shop workers do not have the same legal protection from violence and intimidation that emergency workers do. Previous attempts were made to give shop workers the same protection at Holyrood in 2010 and at Westminster in 2013 but the bills were defeated.