Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner has backed a campaign to raise awareness of the abuse and violence shop workers have received during the pandemic.

The ‘Keeping Christmas Kind’ project is being led by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and Suffolk OPCC as, according to retail trade union Usdaw, every minute of the working day during the pandemic a shopworker nationally has been verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked.

Peter McCall, the county's PCC, said: “I want to highlight the message of ‘Keeping Christmas Kind,’ especially over the next few weeks, as people start to visit local shops and stores.

"Whatever we may think about restrictions or rules concerning Covid, there is no reason or excuse to be difficult with those people working in shops or indeed hospitality venues who are just trying to do their jobs and serve the public.

“As we see this lockdown finishing and move to tier two, there is the potential to see last-minute shopping sprees and tensions building.

“It is not acceptable for shoppers to vent their frustrations on other shoppers or abuse shopkeepers, irrespective of the time of year.

“I would like to invite everyone to support this campaign and help amplify the message that abuse of any kind will not be tolerated in Cumbria.

“Shop workers and those working in hospitality venues across the county are going above and beyond for their customers and the campaign message is simple, enough is enough, let’s keep Christmas kind.

“Finally, I would like to thank all our shop workers and people involved in the hospitality sector for everything that they have done to keep our shops open during the pandemic. Also, for those that have had to close as per the regulations, I know how hard it has been for you and the enormous financial pressure this has brought.

"I would encourage us all to support our local businesses and hospitality venues where we can safely do so, they are all vital to the economy and for jobs in our county."