Next government must stamp out violence against retail workers, BRC

The latest survey of UK shopworkers by Usdaw shows that violence has increased by over 25% in the last year. This is despite BRC figures highlighting record spending of over £1 billion by retailers on crime prevention.

During Respect for Shopworkers Week, the BRC and Usdaw are urging political parties to come together to support tougher sentences for those who attack shopworkers. Both are also calling for specific policing resources to be targeted at retail crime. The aforementioned survey showed that 42% of shopworkers have never even seen a patrolling police officer inside their shops.

On Tuesday, the BRC launched its retail manifesto which calls on the next government to safeguard shopworkers by bringing forward legislation to protect them from increasing attacks in the workplace.

“Everyone deserves to go to work free from fear. The latest retail crime statistics are shocking. This is not a victimless crime; those targeted with threats and abuse carry those experiences with them for a lifetime. It affects not just hardworking shopworkers, but also their families and communities,” says Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium.

“Politics is meant to be about helping people. We hope that every politician elected this December will support our call for stiffer penalties for those who abuse, or assault shop staff. Violence against shopworkers remains one of the most pressing issues retailers face and the next government must take action to stamp it out.”