A national day of action was launched on 11th February 2022 in Birmingham as retailers urged shoppers to #ShopKind when they visit high streets and shopping centres. Polling shows that over one-third of shoppers (38 per cent) have witnessed violence and abuse against shopworkers. 

Retailers, policing and private security will be coming together to host a number of collaborative ‘days of action’, in association with #ShopKind, urging the public to be mindful of shop workers’ essential role in serving the public. The ‘days of action’ are intended to be high visibility events, showing a united front, emphasising that workers should be treated with respect, kindness and gratitude.  

The launch was at the Bullring, Birmingham, from 11th to 12th February 2022, where visitors found out more about the campaign when they meet with the organisers, who included Crimestoppers, the Police National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), National Association of Business Crime Partnerships   (NABCP) and other organisations. This will be followed by a series of further launch events in other regional centres in 2022, yet to be announced.

“What would possess anyone to threaten or assault shop workers is beyond me. It’s truly awful and we should not stand for it. I want this national day of action to send a clear message to customers that they must treat shopworkers properly. We have more police on our streets, and they should work with businesses to keep our communities safe and our high streets thriving.” 

#ShopKind is supported by major high street retailers as well as the Association of Convenience Stores and the shopworkers’ union Usdaw. The campaign is now visible across high streets and on social media. The Association of Convenience Stores’ 2021 Crime Report shows that over the previous year there were over 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse and around 40,000 incidents of violence against people working in convenience stores. Of these, more than a quarter involved a weapon, such as a knife, hammer, axe, or syringe. 

Mark Hallas, Chief Executive at national charity Crimestoppers, said: “Our high streets play a pivotal role in our communities across the country. Please help us stamp out abuse and if you know who is responsible but want to stay anonymous, tell our charity what you know. Call freephone 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org Together, we can help protect our shops and shop workers from harm.” 

Retailers are also encouraged to review their security provisions for the protection of staff, says Darren Conway, chairman of the National Days of Action Steering Group: “There are a range of effective countermeasures available to retail, leisure and other locations to deter threats to staff, whether from criminal gangs or in random, isolated incidents. Only by working collaboratively and as a community will we be able to fully support our teams on the front line. We are urging all businesses and the public to get behind the days of action and #ShopKind.” 

Further information: 

Local Business Contact:  www.gripcic.co.uk                                   Contact for the Public: Crimestoppers 

Friday 11 February 2022 marked a National Day of Action as retailers up and down the country urged shoppers to #ShopKind with a launch event being held in Birmingham city centre. 

#ShopKind is a national campaign with the purpose of raising awareness of and tackling violence and abuse against shop workers within our communities. 

Superintendent Paul French said: “We work closely with businesses and retailers throughout the Humber area, as well as members of the local community, to understand the impact of violence and abuse against shop workers. This will not be tolerated and we are focused on bringing offenders to justice, increasing safety, and reducing risks of business and retail crime.” 

In Hull, our neighbourhood police teams work closely with local partners through Hull BID.  

This is a scheme where local businesses and public sector partners work together to improve the economic climate of the area. It acts as a conduit between members of the public and our neighbourhood teams. 

Sergeant Ashley Haigh said: “We attend regular meetings with local retail premises (as well as a separate regular meeting with licensed premises).  

“This gives everyone the opportunity to discuss any areas of concern, as well as giving us the opportunity to feedback some of the initiatives we’ve been involved in. Through this, we can work collaboratively to tackle a particular problem, such as ASB. 

“Our neighbourhood patrol officers carry Hull BID radios, which are retained by local shops and licensed premises. This gives them a direct link to officers.” 

Bridlington is the latest town, within East Yorkshire, to sign up to an initiative which will allow businesses and police forces to communication quickly about crime and anti-social behaviour. 

DISC is an information-sharing app used nationally by retailers and law enforcement agencies in more than 500 UK towns and cities. This is now being used in Bridlington, and further across East Yorkshire, to share information about offenders and potential criminal activity. 

Detective Inspector Andy Beadman said: “We are working in partnership with Yorkshire Coast BID, with the Bridlington Crime Prevention Group having secured funding for this scheme for the next three years. 

“Collaboration with partners and local agencies is key to crime reduction across the board. And as a result of this scheme, business owners and police are able to communicate in an effective way about crimes and concerns in the local area.”

Communities across North East Lincolnshire have access to vital technology, with a partnership having been set up called the ‘Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRIP) CIC’ 

Ayolt Kloosterboer, Chair of the GRIP CIC, said: “The benefits of joining the GRIP include being part of a town centre community of retailers and businesses that work together to improve the shopping experience for its visitors. Our overall aim is to actively engage in positive activities that disrupt opportunities for criminals to commit repeat offences by using our radio network and DISC app.” 

DISC is also used widely across North Lincolnshire. 

PC Tom Smith said: “GRIP and DISC are a vital tool that the neighbourhood teams use to build a resilient community in the town centres.  

“GRIP gives retailers a voice for what happens within their community, whilst working together with others to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. 

“With DISC, it gives retailers a platform to talk to one another, to share information, and to provide intelligence to the police. This is a great communication system for all involved.” 

If you are interested in partaking in #ShopKind as a retailer, or if you would like more information on the above, please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team – you can find their details at: www.humberside.police.uk