Kent Police and Crime Commissioner reveals he was attacked when he worked in a shop and calls for tougher sentences
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Updated: 16:10, 10 March 2021
Kent s Crime Commissioner has revealed he was once attacked when he worked in a shop, as he calls on the government to introduce tougher sentences for criminals who assault retail staff.
Matthew Scott says he was once kicked and punched outside the shop he used to work in.
Matthew Scott talks about the issue of abuse on shop workers
The revelation comes as recent statistics show there has been a dramatic rise in such incidents during the pandemic with almost 90% of shop workers across the UK having experienced verbal abuse, while 9% have been physically assaulted.
Arson and death threats as shop in Canterbury village Bridge denies mask refusers entry
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Updated: 07:23, 22 January 2021
Staff at a village shop have been threatened, abused and attacked by thugs refusing to wear masks.
Bosses from Bridgeway Stores in Bridge, near Canterbury, say employees have had obscenities and grocery items hurled their way after refusing to serve people who ignored pleas to cover their faces.
Shop owner Ranjit Dhaliwal
Owner Ranjit Dhaliwal has also been told by louts that they would burn the shop down and even kill him following disputes over social-distancing and mask-wearing.
He estimates that since lockdown was first imposed in March last year, there have been as many as 20 incidents inside the store â six of which have taken place in the past month.