Violence and abuse faced by retail workers will be spotlighted at a meeting hosted by County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen.

Next month’s meeting will see the commissioner examining the progress of the priority in her Police and Crime Plan of tackling business crime and increasing understanding of threats and abuse faced by retailers and shopworkers.

It comes as a new crime survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed a huge rise in incidents against retail workers.

An average of 1,300 such cases are said to be reported daily between April 2020 and March 2021, almost treble the 455 per day reported in the previous year.

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The BRC is increasingly concerned about rising levels of violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour linked to tackling shoplifting, an issue Commissioner Allen is already working hard to address to ensure businesses and retailers receive the support and help they deserve.

The BRC's letter to politicians and PCCs about the issue has won the backing of more than 100 leaders across England and Wales.

New legislation was introduced earlier this year through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act making abuse against shop workers an aggravated offence with tougher punishments for offenders.

Commissioner Allen has pledged her own support on the issue, backing the call to improve the safety of retail workers.

Members of the public are invited to submit questions ahead of the meeting to put any concerns they have about the issue to Durham’s Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, and her senior leadership team.

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Commissioner Allen said: "We are indebted to our retail workers for the commitment and courage they showed during lockdown.

“It is incomprehensible that customers would express anything other than gratitude for their service.

"Abuse whether physical or verbal should never be tolerated, and I am pleased this new legislation gained royal assent earlier this year.

“I am keen to understand more about the experiences of local shop workers and how they are currently being supported, which is the purpose behind this accountability meeting.

"I would urge anybody with concerns about this issue, or indeed has been a victim of abuse while in the course of their retail work, to submit questions prior to the meeting so they can be raised and answered at the highest level.

“My accountability meetings provide local people with a platform for airing their concerns and help me to identify any areas of improvement needed to increase the quality of services local people receive.

Public accountability meetings enable the PCC to hold the Chief Constable and Durham Police to account for policing.

They were developed by the commissioner as part of her commitment to delivering transparency and openness on behalf of the public.

Questions can be submitted by to general.enquiriespcc@durham-pcc.gov.uk, before 5pm on Monday September 5.

The meeting, on Thursday September 22, will be available to view on YouTube post session, via https://www.youtube.com/user/DurhamPCC.

Read next:

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                Durham Police and Crime Commissioner on her first year in office

                Durham Police and Crime Commissioner appointed to leading roles

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