Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis says: “Our thoughts are with the victims of the Southport attacks, their loved ones and the communities that have been attacked.
 
“We are horrified that the tragic event that took place in Southport has been used to further a Far Right agenda. Many Usdaw members working in these towns and cities will be feeling extremely intimidated and unsafe when travelling to and from work, and in their workplaces. Our negotiators are in discussions with employers about the impact that the appalling spate of riots is having on our members and looking to ensure that safety measures are in place to protect them.
 
“We support the police in their ongoing efforts to deal with these incidents. We would like to express our solidarity with the emergency service workers who have been working under such difficult conditions, and our gratitude to all those who are trying to bring our communities together and show that hatred will not win.
 
“We also urge police forces to continue to work closely with businesses in sharing intelligence on when and where incidents are happening, so that employers can take the necessary steps to protect their staff, including extra security provision and store closure where required.
 
“I have written to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, welcoming the Government’s strong and unequivocal response. The perpetrators must be brought to justice quickly and feel the full force of the law, with sentences that reflect the egregious nature of these racist crimes.
 
“It’s been heartening to see thousands of anti-racism protestors rallying in cities and towns across the country to stand firm against those who sow hatred and division. We stand united with the whole trade union movement against racism, whether it is on the streets, online or in the workplace.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter/X @UsdawUnion