Lancashire shopworkers go to work 'fearing for their lives'
A new study has found 18% of shopworkers suffered a violent attack last year, compared to 8% in 2022.
North West shopworkers speak out after an Usdaw survey finds that violence has more than doubled in the last year
Retail trade union Usdaw has today (13 March) launched shocking statistics from their annual survey of over 5,500 retail staff showing that 18% of shopworkers suffered a violent attack last year, compared to 8% in 2022.
The increase in assaults comes during an epidemic of retail crime with official stats and reports from retailers showing significant increases in theft from shops.
Usdaw’s survey shows that levels of violence, threats and abuse all increased compared to pre-pandemic figures. In the last twelve months (pre-pandemic levels in brackets, from the 2019 survey):
· 70% (68%) have experienced verbal abuse.
· 46% (43%) were threatened by a customer.
· 18% (5%) were assaulted.
These findings follow similar trends to recent reports from British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores. B
oth retail trade associations found significant increases in violence and abuse against shopworkers alongside much higher levels of shoplifting, which is costing the industry £3 billion in lost stock and security measures.
North West voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments North West shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Lancashire: “Pushed over by a shoplifter.” – “I got called a c*_t because customer didn't have loyalty card.” - “Came in store he was in a mood already shouting abuse. Saw me and started as I am Asian.” - “Called b_tch, threats of waiting after work.”
Michelle Byrne is an Area Organiser for USDAW in Lancashire, she been telling us some of her members are in a constant fear of being attacked: "We've got a member in the Blackpool area who I've represented who has been attacked by a customer who's had a her pulled out of a scalp.
"She's left with a huge ball patch on the top of her head.
"Absolutely horrendous time for her. She's been going through mental health problems, so it then impacts the NHS, it impacts mental health services. This Member is absolutely terrified.
"The person was caught and they were taken to court and they were given a slap on the hand and not even a custodial sentence.
"And they live around the corner from the shop and are constantly now outside of that shop.
"So this woman now is in fear of her life every time she's expected to go to work."
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from North West shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive. Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by retail staff.
“No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are. It is shocking that nearly a fifth of our members working in retail are being 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.
"Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 61% of these incidents.
“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shopworkers."