West Dunbartonshire MP warns shoppers to keep their cool

Nov 28 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

KEEP your cool at Christmas – that’s the message to West Dunbartonshire shoppers.

Local MP John McFall is backing a call by shop workers to encourage people not to lose the head in the festive rush.

He is supporting a campaign by retail trade union Usdaw to cut down on the abuse and assaults suffered by shop staff during the Christmas shopping period.

He said: “I am shocked that Usdaw’s most recent survey shows that two-thirds of shop staff have been abused in the last year and nearly 10 per cent have suffered physical assault.

“A major cause is angry customers and reports of ‘trolley rage’ incidents are on the increase. The shop staff that I met told me that Christmas is the time when they suffer most anger and abuse.

“Shop workers say that verbal abuse from customers is very hurtful and can leave staff upset and depressed, so a little of the Christmas spirit and the message of peace and goodwill would go a long way in the shops.”