MSP Jackie Baillie has called for more protection of shop workers during an annual event.

The Dumbarton politician has spoken out during Respect for Shop Workers Week saying employees are facing increasing violence.

The week-long event runs from November 11-17 by union Usdaw and promotes a message of respect for retail workers.

Baillie says that shoplifting has consistently been amongst the two largest categories of crimes of dishonesty in the last ten years.

She said: “I have been contacted by retail workers in my own constituency who are concerned about the daily battle they face and the availability of Police resources to tackle the issue.

“All retail workers should be free to go about their duties without fear or apprehension over what is likely to unfold in the course of their duties.

“It is absolutely right that shop workers, who kept the nation going during the covid pandemic and who are essential workers, get the respect they deserve.

“I call on the Scottish Government to adequately resource Police Scotland to ensure they can offer the necessary support to retail workers who are under attack and provide a deterrent for criminals.”

Data also reveals an increase of 41 per cent in retail theft since 2014/15, which has resulted in shoplifting being at its highest level in ten years.

Tony Doonan, Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland said: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from Scottish retail workers make very difficult reading.

"It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.

"Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly the result of a near doubling in police recorded shoplifting across Scotland since the pandemic.

"It has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order in the midst of a retail crime epidemic."