SHOP workers face a “store crime epidemic” unless the government urgently introduces new legislation to protect staff, ministers were warned yesterday.

The Co-op revealed that crime has increased by more than 140 per cent in its stores so far this year, despite praise for the critical role played by retail workers during the coronavirus crisis.

The retail giant said that the number of violent incidents has hit record levels, with 1,350 attacks reported.

It said that concerns for the physical and mental well-being of store staff had grown, adding that the government had failed to act, exactly one year after its call for evidence on violence against shop staff closed.

Co-op store manager in Halesowen Adeel Zafar said: “A customer went ballistic at me when I asked him to respect social distancing measures — he started shouting verbal abuse, said he hoped I caught coronavirus and that he would 'sort me out.'

“It was a terrifying experience for me and the team to witness at an already difficult time.”

Romford Co-op store manager Claire Saunders said: “I have faced physical and verbal abuse and have been physically assaulted. 

“Recently a shoplifter threatened to spit in my face and give me coronavirus. This is not part of our job and it is just not acceptable.”

The Co-op is supporting MP Alex Norris’s Assault on Shop Workers Bill which has seen its second reading in Parliament postponed.

Hundreds of Co-op employees from around Britain have filmed short videos detailing their harrowing experiences.

Co-op Food chief executive Jo Whitfield praised the role of the shop workers “in serving their communities, particularly during the last 12 weeks.”

But she said that despite this recognition, they are continually disrespected and have to contend with “unprecedented levels of violence and abuse on a daily basis.”

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis added that urgent action was required as this was “a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis.”

He said it was a disgrace that people working to keep food on the shelves for their local communities were being abused and assaulted.

Mr Lillis said: “We want the government to legislate for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers — a simple stand-alone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.”