Retail crime continues to have a heavy impact on shop workers – an Usdaw survey finds

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are. It is shocking that over three-quarters of our members working in retail are being abused, threatened and assaulted for simply doing their job and serving the community. They provide an essential service and deserve our respect and the protection of the law.

“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 66% of these incidents. Violence and abuse are not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shop workers. So, we are delighted that the Government has listened and last week introduced the Crime and Policing Bill in to the House of Commons, with measures to address these significant issues.

“We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Respect Orders for offenders. We will review the details for the provisions and look forward to engaging with the Government as the Bill goes through Parliament, with the first debate and vote due to take place on Monday.

“Scotland has had a protection of shop workers law in place since 2021, after Labour’s Daniel Johnson MSP promoted the legislation, and it has already been used in around 10,000 incidents. The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to introduce similar measures in due course. After many years of campaigning alongside retail employers, it really now feels like governments are listening and taking action to give all retail workers across the UK the protections and respect they deserve.”

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Usdaw’s findings are another appalling reminder of what so many people working in our industry can face. No one should go to work fearing for their safety, and yet our most recent crime survey showed incidents of violence and abuse soaring to record levels. A confrontation may be over in minutes, but for many victims, their families and colleagues, the physical and emotional impact can last a lifetime. We owe it to the three million hardworking people working in retail to bring the epidemic of crime to heel, and we look forward to seeing the crucial legislation to protect retail workers enacted as soon as possible.”

Tesco UK CEO Matthew Barnes said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe at work and these latest figures further underline the need for the creation of a standalone offence to send a strong message to anyone willing to abuse retail workers. We have campaigned alongside Usdaw for legislation to protect our colleagues, whether they work in store or are home delivery drivers, and we hope to see this become law as soon as possible.”

Voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:

• “Shoplifter grabbed my arm and scratched it. Customer told me the shop is a f**king joke and she would wipe smile off my face.”
• “Aggressive and rude, no manners, just push their way in. Blame you for things not being stocked anymore. Hit with trollies or baskets without a sorry.”
• “Customer threw items at myself and colleagues. Big gangs of youths behaving badly and refusing to leave the premises when asked to do so.”
• “Homophobic comments, threats to hurt me because I refused a sale, mocking me when asked for ID. I was once held up at knifepoint. Often told to f**k off.”
• “As I was leaving work, I was confronted by a man who came straight at me and physically hit my shoulder without any reason or motive.”
• “Threatened and attempted assault for note checking. Been asked out, he refused to take it I already have a partner. Pushed me against the wall.”
• “Sworn at regularly, particularly by young customers when asked for ID for cigarettes and energy drinks. Had bottles of medicine thrown at me.”
• "Daily personal insults. Swearing because I can’t sell them alcohol because they’re drunk. One squared up to me and threatened me with physical violence.”
• “Was asked if I wanted to get fingered. I’ve also had my buttocks smacked. People threatening to stab my colleagues.”