Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper is asking the Government to do more about tackling violence against shop workers.

The Labour MP chairs the 200-strong parliamentary cross-party group on town centre management.

He said the British Retail Consortium's annual crime survey showed last year there were more than 20,000 attacks on shop workers and 28,000 threats of violence.

Mr Lepper is backing a campaign by trade union Usdaw against violence and abuse and added it was likely many other incidents were not reported.

The MP has also signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for retail crime to be made a police key performance indicator and for safer shopping partnerships in town centres.

Mr Lepper said the issue was already being taken seriously in Brighton where traders and police worked closely together.

Brighton and Hove was the first place in the south of England to receive the Safe Shopping award for its retail crime initiative in the city centre.

Mr Lepper said it appeared some other towns were taking the issue less seriously. He said: "That is why stronger Government backing is needed."