Cornwall supermarket workers spat and sworn at as attacks during pandemic double
Nationwide, almost one in ten shop workers has been physically attacked while almost 90% have been verbally abused
A Cornwall supermarket worker has described being sworn at and seeing colleagues spat at, as figures reveal the number of attacks on shop workers has more than doubled during the pandemic.
A survey for USDAW has 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.
Tom from Camborne works at supermarket and has experienced abuse first-hand.
"Probably the worst thing was one of my managers got spat at when he has to escort a customer out of the store because they refused to wear a mask.
"Being spat at by anybody is disgusting and it's not nice for anyone but at the same time, especially now, you think that person could be passing coronavirus on through that spit.
"I asked a customer to put their mask above their nose because they were just wearing it over their mouth - he flat-out refused. I told him I was calling the police because he refused to leave the building but until he actually saw me picking up the phone and talking to an operator, he was actually just walking around the store shouting and swearing at me".
Tom, Supermarket Worker from Camborne
Watch USDAW General Secretary, Paddy Lillis, speak to Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle about the increase in shop attacks.
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 General Secretary Paddy Lillis says: "Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law.
"It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and nearly one in ten assaulted.
"We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job".
Paddy Lillis, USDAW
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.
Paddy Lillis adds: “The UK Government has persistently opposed new legislation, offering little more than sympathy and objecting to the Alex Norris protection of shopworkers bill in the House of Commons.
"However, we had a great result for our members in Scotland, as MSPs voted through ground-breaking legislation to give shopworkers the protection they deserve.
"We are now looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK Government’s opposition".
Paddy Lillis, USDAW
How has the government responded?
A Government spokesperson said: "It is completely unacceptable to threaten or assault retail staff, not least when they are working so hard to keep vital services running.
"The Sentencing Council has set out guidelines that mean courts should be increasing sentences for assaults committed against those providing a service to the public, including shop workers.
"The Home Office has set out plans to crack down on abuse and violence against shopworkers to help with the reporting of these crimes and support for victims, and we are working closely with retailers and the British Retail Consortium on this".
Home Office Statement