UK food industry demands stronger protections for delivery riders amid rising attacks

Leading UK restaurant chains and supermarkets have joined forces with Deliveroo to demand stronger legal protections for delivery riders. Credit: Deliveroo

Leading UK restaurant chains and supermarkets are taking a stand alongside Deliveroo, demanding stronger legal protections for delivery riders. They warn that the Government’s Crime & Policing Bill, as it stands, fails to provide adequate safeguards.

In a joint letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, more than 30 major businesses – including Pizza Express, Morrisons, Dishoom and Wingstop – are urging ministers to guarantee riders’ safety throughout their entire journey.

The call to action forms part of Deliveroo’s ‘Right to Ride Safely’ campaign, launched in November 2024, with backing from the GMB union and the British Retail Consortium. The campaign responds to a concerning 28 percent rise in abusive incidents targeting riders over the past six months, including verbal and physical assaults, racism, and theft of vehicles or delivery equipment.

“Delivery riders are an essential lifeline for our industry, connecting our businesses to homes, workplaces and communities nationwide. Yet, many of these dedicated and hard working individuals are subjected to abuse while doing their job,” the letter states.

‘Time for the Government to act’

While the forthcoming Crime & Policing Bill proposes a new offence for assaulting retail workers and stricter penalties for shoplifting, such as making the theft of goods valued under £200 a more serious offence, industry leaders argue that delivery riders are being left exposed. The letter urges the Government to extend protections beyond static retail premises to cover riders from the moment they accept an order until it is safely delivered.

The letter added, “There are real people behind these numbers – people who face physical and verbal assault, racism, sexism and theft. It’s time for the Government to act and send a clear message: abuse against delivery riders will not be tolerated.”

With over 3,000 restaurant and supermarket sites represented in the letter, the demand for change reflects a growing industry-wide concern about worker safety. As takeaway and grocery delivery services continue to expand, food businesses are calling for urgent legal reforms to ensure their riders are protected, recognised and supported.

The Home Secretary is expected to introduce the Crime & Policing Bill to Parliament today (Tuesday 25 February).

Whether the government will heed the industry’s call for improved delivery rider safety remains to be seen. But for food sector leaders, the message is clear: “Protecting them must be a priority for us all.”