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A convenience store manager from London will testify personally to the scale of abuse and violence facing UK shopworkers on a daily basis, when he speaks at a fringe meeting at the British Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

David Valentine, 30, is a graphic example of retail staff having to combat verbal abuse and physical attacks in the workplace. The manager of a Co-op store in Roehampton is a speaker at a fringe meeting organised by premier retail union Usdaw and the Co-operative Group.

In 2002, over 16,000 shopworkers were physically assaulted, nearly 49,000 were threatened with attack and 70,000 were verbally abused. These figures are recognised as an under-estimate, with many incidents not being recorded.

The scale of the problem prompted Usdaw to launch a campaign called Freedom From Fear - which has proved a tremendous success. On 17th September, the union organised a National Respect for Shopworkers Day, with events held in over 100 towns and cities.

David Valentine is the manager of a store that has witnessed several shocking attacks. Staff have been racially abused and attacked with crowbars. A security guard at the store needed hospital treatment for severe injuries following a beating at the hands of a gang of youths.

John Hannett, Usdaw Deputy General Secretary, who leads the Freedom From Fear campaign, is another speaker at the fringe meeting, along with Home Office Minister Hazel Blears MP and Martin Beaumont, Chief Executive, the Co-operative Group.

John Hannett said: "It is appalling that shopworkers have to face such abuse and violence on a daily basis. Our campaign aims to raise awareness of this important issue and to find solutions so that our members can exercise their right to work in an environment free from fear."