Shopworkers across the borough are increasingly being abused and assaulted, Brentford MP Ruth Cadbury has revealed.

On a visit to the Co-op near Gunnersbury Park, Ms Cadbury met staff and members of the shopworkers' union USDAW who told her of the abuse and hostility they face.

One Brentford storeworker, who asked not to be identified, told Brentford Nub News: "A lot of the problems have been people at home drinking all day and then coming for more alcohol.

"They don't observe social distancing or wear masks. I've stopped asking them to do so because a few have been really threatening.

"You just serve them and get them out of the shop as quick as possible. I haven't been physically attacked but I've been abused verbally. It can be very intimidating."

Ms Cadbury said: ''It was shocking to hear first-hand about the abuse that our shopworkers face in Chiswick and across Hounslow.

"I was particularly concerned recently to hear about a shopworker in Isleworth being attacked too.

"Our shopworkers have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic and they simply do not deserve to face abuse and violence when they work.

"I'm proud to support USDAWs campaign to support and protect our shopworkers and will continue to campaign to ensure they're safe at work.''

USDAW has launched a petition calling for tougher laws to protect its members.

The union wants ministers to: "Enact legislation to protect retail workers.

"This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker.

"The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable."

The petition can be found here

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