Retail staff face a rising tide of violence

Shopworkers’ union USDAW is calling on local authorities and police forces to make retail crime a higher priority, in the wake of new figures showing an increase in threats and acts of violence against shop staff.

According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Annual Crime Survey, incidents of physical violence against shop workers rose by 50% in the past year. Over the same period, recorded threats of violence against staff more than doubled.

USDAW general secretary John Hannett said he was “very concerned about the increase in incidents last year, particularly those involving violence or the threat of violence”.

The survey also revealed that the number of incidents per store shot up by 18%, although cases of verbal abuse decreased by 6%.

“Incidents of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers are far too common,” said USDAW rep and shop floor worker Tracy Low. “Verbal abuse is a daily experience for many and it can really grind you down. We along with retailers are asking for respect, because we feel very strongly that abuse is not a part of the job.”

The full findings of the BRC survey will be available from 31 October at www.brc.org.uk