Attacks on shopworkers nearly double during the pandemic
Figures show an alarming rise in physical and verbal abuse, and threats of violence toward those on the frontline
New figures show 8 in 10 shopworkers say levels of abuse they've faced has increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
A survey for USDAW found big increases in violence and threats of violence toward staff doing their jobs across the UK.
- 88% of those surveyed experienced verbal abuse.
- 60% were threatened by a customer.
- 9% were assaulted.
Around one in 20 shop staff were physically attacked in 2019. That figure was closer to one in 10 during the pandemic.
Why are attacks on shopworkers increasing?
Many of the factors found to trigger abuse were related to the coronavirus pandemic, including social restrictions and its wider effects.
Around one in four cases was down to staff trying to enforce social distancing.
Usdaw Area Organiser for Staffordshire and Cheshire Nick Gerrard said: "We've seen members describe where they've been coughed at whilst they're stacking shelves, situations where someone’s been asked to go to the back of the queue and not queue jump and then a customers come back later on with a knife and threatened to cut the assistant."
"It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90% of shop workers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and nearly one in ten assaulted.
"Retail crime is not really taken that seriously, I think there's a perception when you work in a shop that this is part of the job. What we're saying is that there's absolutely no situations that warrant this sort of behaviour."
What is being done to protect workers?
Stores are taking their own steps to increase security, but there are calls for a new law that specifically protects shopworkers.
One has already been introduced in Scotland, but a bill going through Parliament that would see the same rules in England has been delayed.
Nick Gerrard adds: “What we want is a clear message that the government will take this seriously. So if someone does behave in this way in Staffordshire and Cheshire area that they will get and be treated with the full force of the law, whether it's a fine or even jail.
"We think that having a law would certainly hit home to the abusers to tell them this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable.
"The real problem that we face is that there's no deterrent there - we're seeing people come in and abuse shop workers or threatening - and in some worse case scenarios assaulting shop workers. We're saying if there was a law there it would certainly make some of these individuals think twice.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: "The UK Government has persistently opposed new legislation, offering little more than sympathy and objecting to the Alex Norris protection of shop workers bill in the House of Commons.
"We had a great result for our members in Scotland, we are now looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK Government's opposition."
How has the government responded?
We are currently awaiting a response from the government.