Thank you to Usdaw Union, the Co-op Group and Tesco for hosting me at Mossley Co-op and Stalybridge Tesco last week to discuss the problem of retail crime. It is currently the annual Respect for Shopworkers’ Week that Usdaw use to raise awareness of shoplifiting and associated abuse and violence towards shop workers.

This is a growing problem with data showing a year on year increase in incidents and some stores experiencing intimidation and abuse towards shop workers on a daily basis. I support the campaigning by Usdaw, Co-op and Tesco because I strongly believe that no-one should feel unsafe doing their job.

The Labour Government is determined to tackle this problem and this year’s Respect campaign comes at an opportune moment as the Home Office is preparing a Crime and Policing Bill that will contain measures to tackle retail crime. The Bill will deliver on one of our priorities as a government to take back control of our streets.