Store managers and owners, who are struggling to cope with retail crime and attacks on staff, are largely unaware that help is available through local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP), a survey by shopworkers’ union Usdaw has found.
A UK-wide survey carried out in June 2004 by Usdaw revealed that only 30 per cent of store managers knew that a CDRP existed in their local area, while only 15 per cent had actually been contacted proactively by their CDRP. However, of those who had been contacted, nearly 90 per cent reported that the CDRP had been helpful and supportive to them.
Usdaw is calling for better links to be forged between each CDRP and shop managers in local areas, and for MPs to co-ordinate retail crime reduction activities between local councils, police, employers and shopworkers. Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear campaign aims to promote greater respect for shopworkers and improve safety in retail workplaces. Usdaw research showed shopworkers across the UK are regular victims of verbal abuse, threats of violence and physical attacks at work.
What they say
John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said: "Shop managers are crying out for help to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Clearly, when they are contacted by their local CDRP they find the service useful. But the majority of shop managers remain unaware that a CDRP exists in their local area. We need to ensure this anomaly is addressed as quickly as possible. There is a huge problem with retail crime in the UK. In most cases, it is reported in terms of financial losses – but it is not a victimless crime, as many Usdaw members can testify. All too often, shopworkers find themselves at the wrong end of verbal abuse, threats and physical assaults at work. We must ensure that workers get better protection and improved safety."
For more details
You can locate your local CDRP through www.crimereduction.gov.uk Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth largest trade union, with over 330,000 members. It is the biggest union for shopworkers. Respect for Shopworkers Week ran from July 5 to 11. For more details visit the union’s web site:
