Food delivery service Deliveroo is calling upon the UK government to increase protections for delivery drivers, in a hard hitting new campaign.
The campaign, titled ‘Right to Ride Safely’ demands that the UK government expands the scope of its upcoming Crime and Policing bill to include a clause to safeguard delivery drivers while on delivery.
Deliveroo also calls upon the government to make it clear in the legislation that hospitality venues are included in the definition of a retail premise.
Deliveroo SVP of rider and care, Camilla Kater said: “No one should feel unsafe while working. Riders play an invaluable role in their local communities and including protections for delivery riders in the Bill will send the strongest signal that we all value them and that these crimes will not be tolerated. Let’s give delivery riders the respect they deserve.
“Together with the GMB, we’re urging the Government to take action. We also call on other food delivery companies, along with the restaurant and retail partners who depend on delivery couriers, to back the Right to Ride Safely campaign.”
Currently, the bill proposes to create a standalone offence to protect retail workers from assault and abuse while at their place of work but does not extend the protections to delivery drivers.
The campaign has been backed by the GMB union and the British Retail Consortium.
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GMB national secretary, Andy Prendergast added: “Delivery drivers do a difficult job. They are often on the frontline and bear the brunt of public anger when things go wrong. It’s only right they are given the same, long overdue protections which are now being offered to retail workers.”
Research from the delivery service highlights that there has been an increase of 28% in the number of abusive incidents towards riders reported in the last six months, including verbal abuse, racism, and sexism.
There have also been reports about riders who have been threatened or assaulted. In one case, Deliveroo rider Rolston Williams, 58, from Nottinghamshire, reported having experienced verbal abuse and threats of physical assaults on customers’ doorsteps, especially in instances where proof of ID for alcohol deliveries was needed.
He commented: “I shouldn’t have to worry about my own safety when I’m trying to earn a living, yet I do. Those who are guilty of threatening people who are just doing their job should face repercussions, and the Government needs to take the threats we face seriously.”
The delivery app currently has its own policies and partnerships in place to ensure the safety of its riders, including free access to the Flare app which enables them to report incidents or call for help.
