Deliveroo has initiated a campaign urging the government to enhance protections for delivery riders in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill. The campaign, named ‘Right to Ride Safely’, seeks to extend legal protections to riders throughout their delivery journey.
- Supported by the GMB union and the British Retail Consortium, Deliveroo’s initiative addresses a lack of specific provisions for delivery riders in the existing legislative framework.
- The push for safety follows a reported 28% rise in abusive incidents targeting delivery riders, including theft and physical assaults.
- Deliveroo stresses the need for clarity in the Bill regarding what constitutes a retail premise, advocating for the inclusion of restaurants and hospitality settings.
- The company calls on collaborative support from fellow delivery firms and retail partners to back this safety initiative.
Deliveroo has launched a dedicated campaign aimed at urging the government to amend the Crime and Policing Bill to incorporate enhanced safety measures for delivery riders, ensuring their protection from workplace threats. The initiative, termed ‘Right to Ride Safely’, is backed by trade union GMB and the British Retail Consortium. It advocates for the broader inclusion of delivery riders within the scope of legal protections currently only afforded to retail workers at their workplace.
The campaign highlights a significant gap in the Bill as it presently omits delivery riders from specific protection, despite the government’s pledge to establish a separate offence for assaults on retail workers. Deliveroo proposes extending this protection to cover the full duration of a delivery, from the order acceptance, through to collection, and onto final delivery to the consumer. This move aims to safeguard the thousands who work as couriers, ensuring their safety at every stage of their service.
Central to Deliveroo’s efforts is the call for explicit legislative clarification that recognises restaurants and hospitality venues as retail premises. This reflects the reality of modern delivery services where riders often interact with these environments as part of their professional duties. Reinforcing such definitions in law would strengthen the protective measures available to riders against a backdrop of increasing hostility.
Recent data from Deliveroo indicates a worrying trend, with a 28% spike in abusive incidents, which include verbal abuse, racial and gender-based harassment, and theft or damage to rider property. These incidents underline the urgency and necessity of legislative reform to provide a safer working environment for delivery personnel.
Camilla Kater, Deliveroo’s Senior Vice President of Rider and Care, reiterates the invaluable role riders play in connecting communities and stresses that ensuring their safety should be a priority. She states, “No one should feel unsafe while working. Riders play an invaluable role in their local communities. 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.” Further, Deliveroo calls upon other food delivery services and retail partners to support this campaign, underscoring the collaborative effort needed to achieve meaningful change.
Deliveroo’s campaign underscores the urgent need for legislative support to ensure the safety of delivery riders across the UK.
