A LEADING newsagent in Blackburn has spoken out about the 'unacceptable level' of violence and abuse shop workers deal with every day.

Suleman Khonat, who runs a string of newsagents across the town, raised his concerns at an event at the House of Commons accompanied by the town's MP Kate Hollern.

The businessman, who is the president of the North West Newsagents Federation, also spoke of his fears over the potential relaxation of Sunday trading hours.

The comments come after a string of attacks in the town, and across East Lancashire, in recent years.

Cllr Khonat, who represents the Shear Brow ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The recent surveys found that there were 41 incidents of violent and abuse per 1,000 employees.

"This is up from 32 in the previous year.

"I believe, we need to have the confidence that they will receive the same response and protection from the police when they are a victim of violence in the workplace as other victims of violent crime.

"Our member's businesses are open from early in the morning until late at night, and often owners operates with few additional staff members on duty.

"They are sadly seen as an easy target by criminals with problems ranging from shop theft, vandalism, anti social behaviour, robbery and even murder.

"Retail crime not only impacts upon us, it also impacts on the local community, if independent shop is driven out of business then the local community loss the service's of that shop.

He also argued that any change to the current Sunday trading law would affect Blackburn retailers and that it should be left as it has been for the last 20 years.

Cllr Khonat said that the town's traders enjoy an advantage over national stores because they are not subject to the same restrictions which would be lost of any change in the law is brought in.

He added: "The plans to devolve and de-regulate Sunday trading would deeply harmful to all independent retailers.

"I believe, while falling to bring the supposed economic benefits those proponents of the change claim."

His comments have been backed by the town's MP Kate Hollern who added that it was concerning that an traders were victims of violent crimes.

Mrs Hollern said: "I was pleased to be able to attend the National Federation of Retail Newsagents event at Westminster this week.

"Many members of the organisation operate within Blackburn and the general state of the economy inevitably impacts on their livelihoods.

"It is concerning to hear about the increase in traders being victims of violent incidents and I will be raising these issues with colleagues."