Commissioner Supports ‘Keeping Christmas Kind’ campaign

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall shows support for the ‘Keeping Christmas Kind’ campaign, led by Suffolk OPCC and supported by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, raising awareness of abuse and violence shop workers have received on a day to day basis during the pandemic.

According to retail trade union Usdaw, every minute of the working day during the pandemic a shopworker nationally has been verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked.

Peter McCall comments: “I want to highlight the message of ‘Keeping Christmas Kind,’ especially over the next few weeks, as people start to visit local shops and stores.  Whatever we may think about restrictions or rules concerning Covid, there is no reason or excuse, to be difficult with those people working in shops or indeed hospitality venues who are just trying to do their jobs and serve the public.

“As we see this lockdown finishing and move to Tier 2 there is the potential to see last-minute shopping sprees and tensions building.

“It is not acceptable for shoppers to vent their frustrations on other shoppers or abuse shopkeepers irrespective of the time of year.

“I would like to invite everyone to support this campaign and help amplify the message that abuse of any kind will not be tolerated in Cumbria.

“Shop workers and those working in hospitality venues across the county are going above and beyond for their customers and the campaign message is simple, enough is enough, let’s keeping Christmas kind.

“Finally, I would like to thank all our shop workers and people involved in the hospitality sector for everything that they have done to keep our shops open during the pandemic. Also, for those that have had to close as per the regulations, I know how hard it has been for you and the enormous financial pressure this has brought.  I would encourage us all to support our local businesses and hospitality venues where we can safely do so, they are all vital to the economy and for jobs in our county.”

To watch the campaign film click here: #KeepingChristmasKind – full film – YouTube

To take part in the online conversation search for #KeepingChristmasKind and #ShopworkerSuperhero on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.