London, UK – A recent survey conducted by the retail union Usdaw has revealed a concerning trend in the rise of violence against shop workers. The study, which included responses from over 5,500 staff members, indicated that almost one in five employees experienced a violent attack last year, a significant increase from the 8% reported in 2022.
According to Usdaw, the spike in attacks comes amidst what the union describes as an “epidemic” of thefts from stores, with perpetrators ranging from common thieves to hardened career criminals. The study also unveiled that 70% of respondents faced verbal abuse, nearly half were threatened by customers, and just under a fifth were physically assaulted in the past year.
Union leader Paddy Lillis expressed shock at the high number of workers being assaulted while simply carrying out their job duties. Lillis emphasized the importance of ensuring that retail employees feel safe and protected in their workplace, stating, “No one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are.”
Lillis further highlighted the link between abuse and theft, noting that many shop workers encounter repeat offenders who are often involved in organized retail crime. He called for urgent action to address the escalating issue of violence and abuse towards retail staff, criticizing the government for its lack of effective measures to tackle the problem.
The Usdaw general secretary proposed implementing a law to safeguard shop workers, similar to the legislation in Scotland that has resulted in numerous convictions. He also advocated for increased police presence in town centers, the issuance of respect orders to prevent repeat offenders, and the removal of the £200 threshold for investigating and prosecuting shop thefts.
In conclusion, Lillis urged the public to support their campaign by showing respect towards shop workers and emphasized the necessity of taking concrete steps to protect retail employees from harm. The call for action comes as a response to the alarming increase in violent incidents targeting shop staff, underscoring the urgent need for preventative measures and support for those working in the retail sector.