INSTANCES of verbal abuse, threats and assaults against shop-workers in the north have come down from the exceptionally highs experience during the pandemic, but remain higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019.
But it still equates to 850 incidents of violence or abuse each day, which retail chiefs say is "another appalling reminder of what so many retail workers are subjected to".
The UK's fifth biggest trade union Usdaw surveyed more than 7,750 retail staff members in Britain and Northern Ireland, which found that in the last year 74 per cent had experienced verbal abuse, compared to 68 per cent in 2019.
Some 49 per cent (against 43 per cent pre-Covid) were threatened by a customer and 8 per cent (5 per cent) were actually assaulted.
Two in five respondents said the violence, threats and abuse caused them anxiety at work and 30 per cent are now considering changing job.
“No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are,” said Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis.
“It's shocking that nearly three-quarters of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers.
“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and too many shop workers suffer all too often. We still need better co-ordination to ensure that retail employers, police and the courts work together to make stores safer and give staff the support and confidence they need. Most of all, we ask the public to support our campaign by respecting shop workers.”
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “It's a basic right to go to work without fear, and yet our most recent crime survey showed there are 850 incidents of violence or abuse each day.
“A confrontation may be over in minutes, but for many victims, their families and colleagues, the physical and emotional impact can last a lifetime. The police must prioritise adequately resourcing retail crime.”
