Last November, Oldham West and Royton MP, Jim McMahon met with shopworkers from the Cathedral Road Co-op in Chadderton, during the meeting Jim promised to raise the increased violence against shopworkers with Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime Baroness Bev Hughes.
In January this year the first meeting took place, Jim and a group of cross-party MPs from across Greater Manchester met with the Bev Hughes to discuss how GMP can better deal with violence against shopworkers and retail crime.
Fast forward six months and there is now a dedicated Retail Crime Steering Group working within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and GMP meaning that shopworker’s and customer’s safety is now a high priority.
The group of Greater Manchester MPs have met regularly with Bev Hughes for updates on the steering group and its plans going forward. After the most recent meeting last week Jim said, “I’m very pleased with the progress that’s been made in Greater Manchester in relatively short time, it may take a while yet before shopworkers start noticing the difference but I’m delighted with the leadership Bev and her team have shown on this.”
“I’m really glad that a meeting I had with staff from the Cathedral Road Co-op has turned into something that should make the lives of shopworkers easier.”
“The pandemic saw threats, abuse and violence against shopworkers almost double, it’s unacceptable and was frankly unsustainable. It’s not part of the job and hopefully we’ve now reached a turning point.”
“I’d just encourage everyone to follow the Shop Kind guidance, remember how important shopworkers have been in keeping our families fully stocker with the essentials we need, be kind to them and customers whilst shopping, and carry on wearing a face mask to keep shopworkers safe too.”
Jim McMahon OBE MP 