RETAILERS are hoping to benefit from a campaign which aims to curb instances of anti-social behaviour in shops.

Led by shop and distribution workers union, USDAW, the Freedom from Fear campaign promotes respect among communities for the shops that serve them.

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, was at the Co-operative store in Redworth Road, Shildon, yesterday, where staff say they are subjected to anti-social behaviour.

She said: "The anti-social behaviour that we have seen at the Redworth Co-op is indicative of a wider trend across the country.

"Research shows that more than a third of UK shopkeepers are verbally abused every month in their workplaces, and that figure is completely unacceptable."

Colin Jackson, the Co-op's asset and profit protection area manager, said: "The campaign is about telling people that people who work in shops don't want to come to work to be abused.

"And it's about trying to promote the fact that these people are working in shops serving their local communities and deserve to be treated with respect."