EAST of England retail workers speak out after Usdaw survey shows the impact of retail crime in the region
Retail trade union Usdaw has today (5 March) released shocking statistics from its annual survey showing that abuse and threats against shop workers continue to grow, with violence remaining at double pre-pandemic levels. The increase in incidents comes during an epidemic of retail crime.
Usdaw’s survey of 656 East of England retail staff found that in the last twelve months (national average):
75% have experienced verbal abuse (77%).
47% were threatened by a customer (53%).
11% were assaulted (10%).
Full report: www.usdaw.org.uk/FFFReport2024
East of England voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments East of England shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Bedfordshire: “Customer got mad when can’t do self-scan and shout abuse at me.” – “Spat at and verbally abused.” – “Had one customer threaten to stab me.” – “Mainly been about prices of items, being very rude, if coupons wouldn’t go through.”
Cambridgeshire: “Verbal abuse if asking for ID and if customers have to wait in queue for too long.” – “Customer threw bag of pasta at colleague.” – “Drunk customer verbally abusive after being refused service – started making sexual comments.”
Essex: “I was told to f**k off to my country by a customer.” – “Death threats, pushed, sworn at, followed into the back, racism.” – “Have been touched inappropriately, rubbed up against by male customer. Grabbed private area whilst talking to me.”
Hertfordshire: “Threatened by a shoplifter who is banned for stealing and being aggressive towards myself and other staff in store.” – “Been spat at by customers because they were refused at the pharmacy.” – “Threatened with needles.”
Norfolk: “Yelled at me for dented Pringles and said they would call head office because it was unacceptable.” – “Threatened with physical violence and a knife attack.” – “Customer threw a carrier bag of goods at me.”
Suffolk: “I was threatened to be recorded and put on TikTok because the customer didn’t agree with company policy.” – “Think 25 over energy drink, told to f**k off.” – “Shoplifters getting in your face and threatening to smash my face in.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “East of England retail workers are suffering above-average assaults and far too many incidents of abuse and threats.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.
“The Government has listened and introduced the Crime and Policing Bill in the House of Commons, with measures to address these significant issues in England and Wales. We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and Respect Orders. 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 10 March. It is our hope that these measures will give retail workers the protection and respect they deserve.”
