Deliveroo calls on Government to better protect delivery riders’ safety

The campaign, which has been backed by GMB and the British Retail Consortium, wants to extend the scope of the bill’s commitment to create a standalone offence of assaulting or threatening a retail worker when they’re at their place of work to also cover delivery riders.

Deliveroo is also calling on the Government to make clear in the legislation that restaurants and other hospitality settings are included in the definition of a retail premise.

The launch of the campaign comes in response to figures released by Deliveroo, which show in the last six months there has been a 28% increase in the total number of abusive incidents towards riders.

This includes verbal abuse, reports of racism and sexism and illegal activity such as theft of an order, a rider’s vehicle, or their delivery equipment.

Deliveroo has also received concerning reports about riders who have been threatened or assaulted.

This includes a rider who was threatened when asking a customer for ID; a rider who was assaulted by someone who was under the influence; and riders who have had their orders or bikes stolen. 

All Deliveroo riders are covered by free insurance, paid for by the company, which includes cover for riders who suffer injuries because of an assault while working and are unable to work. 

“No one should feel unsafe while working,” says Camilla Kater, SVP of rider and care at Deliveroo.

“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.

“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.”

The campaign is also being backed by Anneliese Midgley, Labour MP for Knowsley.

She says: “Delivery riders are a vital part of our local economies, connecting small businesses with their communities and helping retail and hospitality sectors thrive. But unfortunately, they face unacceptable abuse for simply doing their job.

“The Labour Government is committed to protecting workers and is right to be creating a standalone offence of assaulting or threatening those who work in retail, but the Crime & Policing Bill must go further to protect delivery riders and reflect the value they bring to society. 

“That is why I'm proud to be backing Deliveroo’s ‘Right to Ride Safely’ campaign alongside the GMB and British Retail Consortium to create a safer, more respectful environment for the delivery riders so many of us rely on every day.”