A CAMPAIGN to prevent threats, violence and abuse against shop workers has won the backing of Northwich’s MP.

Retail union Usdaw has launched the campaign as part of the Freedom from Fear drive.

Attending a campaign event in the Commons, Mike Amesbury, Weaver Vale MP, pledged to support greater protection for shop workers and other public facing staff.

He said: “Too often retail employees are confronted with violence, threats and abuse and it is really important we stand together and ask people to respect shop workers.

“Data collected by the British Retail consortium shows that the human cost of retail crime is growing, with a 40 per cent increase in offences involving abuse or violence against shop workers.

He said: “I will continue to campaign with Usdaw for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out. We must give a clear message that assaulting workers who are serving the public is totally unacceptable.”