Co-op appeals for better protection for shop staff following stabbing in South Yorkshire store

On Monday (July 20) a man entered the Co-op on Keresforth Hill Road in Kingstone, Barnsley, at 9.30pm and stabbed a 49-year-old staff member.

The man stole a number of bottles of spirits before fleeing the store in the direction of Raley Street.

The victim suffered minor injuries to his abdomen that did not require hospital treatment.

This comes shortly after two similarly violent incidents in Leicestershire, which has prompted the Co-op to call for action from the Government.

Craig Goldie, Loss Prevention Manager at Central England Co-op, said: “These three incidents are truly shocking and showcase why the Government urgently needs to do more to better protect our frontline shop workers.

“Stronger laws and punishments are needed for criminals who feel that it acceptable to target shop workers in these types of brutal and appalling ways.

“While we continue to campaign for more to be done, we also want to send a message to would-be criminals. We have a zero tolerance approach to any kind of crime and, if you still want to commit a crime, we will work around the clock with local police forces to bring you to justice in an effort to keep our colleagues and customers safe.”

Figures from the Co-op have revealed that assaults on staff members jumped by 100 per cent, threats and intimidation by 25 per cent and verbal abuse by 175 per cent since the start of the year.

Since the lockdown was introduced, there have been more than 100 incidents related directly to people using COVID-19 as a threat.

Central England Co-op has long been campaigning with other retailers lobbying for more to be done to protect retail staff.

The campaign has received backing from more than 200 MPs up and down the country and from across the political divide. Support has also come from several police forces and police and crime commissioners.

The retailer is also encouraging customers and members to pledge their support for more Government action by signing an online petition here.