Retailers and unions are stepping up a campaign for legislation to protect shopworkers against crime.
A coalition including leading supermarkets and trade have written to the Prime Minister saying that legislation is needed to protect the three million workers in the sector.
The Government has rejected calls for a new law, but the letter warns that shopworkers continue to face violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour.
The Co-op published a new report to back up the call for stiffer penalties for those committing assaults and attacks on shopworkers.
The retail giant revealed that in the first quarter of this year, it has seen almost 400 incidents where weapons have been used against shopworkers, with over half of those involving sharp implements, such as a syringe or a knife or bottle.