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Posted: Sun 17th Nov 2024
Shop workers in Wales are being threatened, spat at and assaulted by customers, a new survey has revealed.
The shocking findings have been released by Usdaw, the retail trade union, as part of this year’s Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from 11-17 November.
Usdaw members are raising awareness of the union’s year-round Freedom From Fear Campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for shop workers’.
Over 4,000 retail staff were questioned as part of the survey – which revealed that many are being routinely threatened and assaulted by customers.
Interim results have revealed that in the last 12 months:
- 69 per cent have experienced verbal abuse.
- 45 per cent were threatened by a customer
- 17 per cent had been assaulted.
- 70 per cent of these incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.
Retail staff across Wales have shared their experiences in work as part of the Usdaw survey, with one worker stating that they had been spat at, pushed against the wall, punched and threatened with a knife.
Another was told to ‘F**k off’ and threatened by five people that they would get beaten up when my shift finished.” after refusing to serve the group alcohol.
Other comments from Welsh retail workers include:
- “Aggressive tones and comments, swearing, shouting. Someone once called me a dumb c**t.”
- “Been punched in the face, kicked under my chin and had stitches. Wrist sprained and products thrown at me which knocked me to the floor.”
- “Rose plant thrown at me and threatened to be stabbed.”
- “Refused to sell alcohol to customer who then threw items at me.”
- “Shoplifters just laugh in our faces as they leave with bags full of washing powder. They don’t care anymore because they know we can’t do anything.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said the survey’s findings “make for very difficult reading” and is proof that “theft from shops is not a victimless crime.”
“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,” said Paddy Lillis.
“Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly the result of a 33 per cent increase in police recorded shoplifting across Wales 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.”
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