The Elected Mayor of Watford met with shop workers to highlight a campaign to prevent abuse from customers during the Christmas period.

Peter Taylor visited staff at the Meriden Co-Operative in Garston as part of the Usdaw’s Respect for Shopkeepers Week.

The charity’s research suggests every minute of the working day a shop worker is verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked and the “Keep Your Cool” campaign aims to urge shoppers to remain calm during the festive season.

Mr Taylor said: “It was great to visit shop workers in the Co-Op in the Meriden this week and to find out more about what they do on a day to day basis. Shop workers in our town do a really valuable job, particularly helping elderly or vulnerable shoppers go about their daily business.

“There’s no excuse to ever verbally or physically attack someone for simply doing their job. I hope, ahead of the busy Christmas period, everyone gives shop workers the respect they deserve.”

Andy Tomlinson, Co-op Food area manager in Watford added: “Our stores provide an essential service that many people depend upon, especially in the run up to Christmas, and the anti-social behaviour of a few can have a devastating impact.

“Retail crime is not a victimless crime, far from it, and we are proud to once again be working with Usdaw in support of this important initiative.”