Rise in violence, threats and abuse to North East shop workers
Usdaw is releasing statistics today from its annual survey
We are hearing how violence, threats and abuse are becoming a rising issue for shop workers in the North East and Teesside.
It comes as retail trade union Usdaw reveals the latest results from its annual survey during this year's 'Respect for Shop Workers Week', which runs until the 17th November.
Interim results from over 4,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months:
• 69% have experienced verbal abuse.
• 45% were threatened by a customer.
• 17% were assaulted.
• 70% of these incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.
These are some of the comments North East shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
County Durham: “Attacked by a shoplifter, threats, name calling on a regular basis”
“Had numerous threats and have been smacked in the stomach whilst pregnant by a known drug addict”
“Being shouted at and swore at, challenge 25 - no ID.”
Northumberland: “The thieves just don't care anymore, they shout and swear at you if you go near.”
“It's every day now, so much more and scarier than even a couple of years ago.”
“Been pushed and threatened with needles and knives.”
Tees Valley: “Group of lads wearing balaclavas asking what time I finish.”
“Threatened to wait for me after work and hurt me then find my family and do the same.”
“Bad tempered men. Been called a c**t.”
“Guy threw wine bottles at us.”
Tyne & Wear: “Customer threatened to find out where I lived and put my windows through.”
“Told I'll be waiting for you outside in the car park.”
“Threw a shopping basket at me.”
“Customer swearing because he had to pay for tomato sauce.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from North East retail workers make very difficult reading. It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly the result of a 22% increase in police recorded shoplifting across the North East over the year to June. It has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order in the midst of a retail crime epidemic.
“Our survey demonstrates that theft from shops is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent theft and even looting can cause issues beyond the incident itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. Our members are reporting that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in their stores and much of the abuse they suffer is from those who are stealing to sell goods on, often to fund an addiction.
“After 14 years of successive Tory governments not delivering the change we need on retail crime, we are pleased that the new Labour Government announced a Crime and Policing Bill in the King’s Speech. This new legislation will deliver a much-needed protection of shop workers’ law; end the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; along with town centre banning orders for repeat offenders. The Chancellor announced in the Budget funding to tackle the organised criminals responsible for the increase in shoplifting, and the Government has promised more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas. It is our hope that these new measures will help give shop workers the respect they deserve.
“This week, Usdaw activists will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep your cool’, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated. This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”