Families of Sussex shopworkers have flagged up concerns around the abuse of their loved ones that they have faced during the pandemic as part of a unique Christmas campaign.
For 32 years, Mrs Pratibha Paleja has been the owner of a small newsagents in Hastings with her husband who was recently diagnosed with dementia. She is now a full-time carer as she continues running of their family business.
In the film, her daughter Mita describes her mother as a superwoman and tells of the abuse she has faced during the pandemic: “My mum is just trying to do her job. She has been threatened with a knife, verbally abused and pushed. She fractured her wrist as a result of that. I’m worried about her safety. Please consider to be kind this Christmas, there is a family behind every business.”
The campaign was devised by Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne who stated that ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to the abuse of shopworkers.”
PCC Katy Bourne said, “The rise in assaults and abuse against shop workers is getting out of hand. This pandemic has shown how important our local businesses and their staff are to our communities. Intimidation, verbal abuse and violence of any kind against our shopworkers cannot be tolerated. I’m seriously concerned about the impact a Covid-19 Christmas may have on our local stores. We have all had an incredibly challenging year but we cannot stand by and watch those who have helped keep our country going be abused in this way.”
