The Scottish Grocers Federation has joined emergency services, health colleagues and others this week to launch a National Assault Pledge, underlining a joint commitment to reduce violence and abuse against front line workers.
The National Assault Pledge builds upon Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Assault Pledge, developed in response to a concerning increase in violence and abuse against Police Scotland officers and staff.
The national partnership group includes prosecutors, Retailers Against Crime, British Transport Police, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, and others. The group will share best practice, develop preventative measures, and use consistent messaging in their workplace to support and encourage staff to report incidents.
SGF’s recent Crime Report 2022 highlights the substantial impact of crime on convenience store owners and staff across Scotland, with 100% of respondents reporting some level of theft, abuse or violence in the previous year.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor, who has been leading Police Scotland’s drive to reduce the impact violence and abuse has on officers and staff, said: “Being the victim of an assault can have a long-lasting impact both physically and mentally. It’s not simply part of the job.
“Working in partnership with a number of key organisations highlights our collective approach and united pledge to reduce assaults at work.”
SGF Chief Executive, Pete Cheema, added: “Frontline staff provide an essential community service, and whether they are police officers, ambulance paramedics or local shop staff, it is completely unacceptable that they are forced to turn up to work and face threating abuse or violence.
“The National Assault Pledge, launched with partners across Scotland, is an important step forward and adds to progress taken last August with the introduction of the Protection of Workers Act.”
