CHESHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is backing a campaign which raises awareness about the abuse retail workers have faced during the pandemic.

It comes as retail trade union Usdaw revealed that every minute of the working day during the pandemic, a shop worker nationally has been verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked.

To raise awareness of the issue, PCC David Keane is supporting the Keeping Christmas Kind campaign, which launched on Tuesday, and is asking people to respect vital Cheshire shop workers this Christmas.

He said: “When the lockdown ends, we are going to see many people going on last-minute shopping sprees for Christmas presents and there is a potential for the tensions of the last year to spill over on the high street.

“I am concerned that those on our festive frontline could bear the brunt of some shoppers’ frustrations about wearing masks and distancing measures, leading to more abuse and assaults.

“Shop workers across Cheshire are going above and beyond for their customers and they may have been mistreated and abused.

“It’s time to show some respect and kindness to those working hard on our festive frontline to feed our families and ensure they have gifts this Christmas.”

The campaign includes a hard-hitting film featuring real people who have put themselves at risk working in essential shops, keeping families fed and providing vital human interaction for so many people who have been alone at home for much of the year.

To watch the campaign film head to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN_zMlaTSME

To take part in the online conversation search for #KeepingChristmasKind and #ShopworkerSuperhero on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.