MSPs ARE to be told shop workers should be given more legal protection from assault and abuse after a survey found nearly a third were threatened last year.

A Freedom From Fear Survey recently polled 1027 staff in Scotland – finding 60.4% had been verbally abused while doing their job and a further 2.3% had been assaulted.

The bill, introduced by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson, aims to create a separate offence of assaulting, abusing, threatening, obstructing or hindering a retail worker. It will be discussed by the Economy Committee today, where Police Scotland, trade unions and industry bodies will give evidence.

Stewart Forrest, of trade union Usdaw – which will be supporting the bill – described the treatment of some staff as “completely unacceptable”.

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Before his committee appearance, he said: “The statistics are shocking, showing that on average a Scottish shop worker can end up on the wrong side of a verbal or physical assault more than once every three weeks.

“Our message is clear, abuse is not a part of the job.

“Life on the front-line of retail can be pretty tough for many shop workers and there is still a lot to do to help protect them.”

He added: “Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”

The bill would also create an aggravated offence if shop staff are abused, threatened or attacked while enforcing an age restriction on items like cigarettes, alcohol and fireworks.