A RUNCORN MP is backing protection for shopworkers from the threat of violence.

Research carried out by the Usdaw union has revealed an average of 265 assaults on shopworkers every day.

Campaigners are now calling for greater protections to be written into the Offensive Weapons Bill to enforce measures on the sale and possession of acid and knives to reduce their availability.

Clause one of the bill would make it an offence for a person to sell a corrosive product to a person who is under the age of 18 and an amendment to the bill would provide protection for shopworkers who may be threatened or intimidated.

Now the Weaver Vale MP, which includes Runcorn, and shadow minister for employment Mike Amesbury said: “The growth in such behaviour against staff is deeply concerning.

“Shopworkers in Weaver Vale and across the country should be treated with respect and allowed to work without fear of intimidation.”