SIR – The shops are getting busier and everyone is rushing around preparing for Christmas.

The run up to Christmas can be exciting, but, unfortunately, it can also be a time when shoppers get aggressive towards shopworkers. When items are out of stock or the queues are long, people are often stressed and have a very short fuse. Nearly a third of shopworkers have been verbally abused in the past month.

This is clearly not acceptable. They are under a lot of pressure, often working long hours, and are just trying to do their job.

Usdaw, is asking you to bear this in mind next time you’re out shopping.

Think again before becoming aggressive, keep your cool and give shopworkers the respect they deserve this Christmas.

John Hannett, General Secretary of Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union