Retail trade bodies and the trade union Usdaw presented a united front to Government at a parliamentary event yesterday, calling for an end to violence against shop workers. Retailers point to their own stats and official Home Office figures that there is a growing problem of violence and abuse against retail. This is despite retailers investing £1.2 billion in crime prevention as the annual British Retail Consortium (BRC) crime survey found, released last week.
Retailers and their colleagues often face abuse just for enforcing the law and doing their job. The most common triggers for violence and abuse are encountering shop thieves, enforcing age restrictions, and refusing the sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers. The groups have called for the following measures to be introduced to tackle the problem:
– Tougher penalties for attacks on shop workers;
– More effective interventions to stop repeat offenders;
– Make retail crime and violence a priority in every Police and Crime Commissioner’s local plan; and
– Focus new police resources on community policing to promote a consistent response across all force areas.
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman said: “In the convenience sector alone, we estimate that there have been around 50,000 incidents of violence and abuse against people working in shops. The justice system is not doing enough to tackle the cycle of repeat offending, and retailers lack confidence in the police’s ability to deal with crimes committed against their business. We’re sending a clear message to the Government that change is needed to better support our members.”
The ACS has brought out its own crime survey; you can read it on the ACS website.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Over 400 retail workers suffer as a result of violence or abuse every day. These are real people, whose hard work is felt by millions of customers every day. Violence in retail leaves a lasting impact on those affected, as well as their colleagues, families and local communities. We need a stronger police response to criminal incidents, and tougher sentences for those who assault retail workers. No one should have to go to work fearing violence or threats.”
Paddy Lillis, General Secretary, Usdaw said: “Usdaw’s research has shown that over 400 shop workers across all sectors of retail are assaulted every day. Today’s ACS report confirms that the problem is a particular issue for the convenience sector. When retail employers and the shop workers’ trade union jointly call for action to stem this growing epidemic of violence against shop staff, it’s time for Ministers to sit up and take notice. All too often criminals feel they can get away with assaulting shop staff and are not punished. That’s why we need Government action to help protect staff through the creation of a simple stand-alone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.
“Our message is clear, abuse is not a part of the job. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Stuart Reddish, National President, NFRN said: “No retailer should feel scared to provide for their family, yet assaults on shop staff are at their highest level in decades and the impact can be both devastating and long lasting, for them, for their families and for their communities too. All too often we hear the triggers are challenging customers suspected of stealing or because there has been a request for proof of age. But it’s not just the hit on profits that affects retailers – there is a human cost too – and that’s not just in terms of physical injuries but on anxiety and stress.
“That’s why the NFRN is calling on the government and the police to tackle retail crime once and for all. Everyone working in retail must have confidence in their workplace and know that should a crime incident occur they will receive the response and protection from the government, police and justice system that they deserve.”
Jo Whitfield, Chief Executive, Co-Op Food: “Violence and abuse towards shopworkers is getting worse – every day in 2020 so far in Co-op stores alone more than 100 of my colleagues have been abused and 12 attacked. Businesses and unions, colleagues and management, big stores and local corner shops all united in their call for action from Government so that shopworkers know their Government cares about them.”
Yvette Cooper MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee said the It’s Not Part of the Job campaign is really important and deserves to be supported across the country.
