Attacks on retail workers is ‘completely horrifying’

Attacks on retail workers are ‘completely horrifying’, GMB Union has said in response to a new survey.

The poll, by the Retail Trust, shows 77% of shop staff have experienced intimidating behaviour in the past year and 23% were physically assaulted.

A further 43% said they are being abused or attacked every week, a 10% rise on last year.

During a recent GMB survey, Asda workers said they had been stabbed, punched and threatened with syringes, spat at, suffered broken bones, been hit with bottles and had death threats against them and their children.

Delivery drivers have reported they have been chased by people in cars and been confronted by customers in the nude and store workers have had watermelons and joints of gammon thrown at them.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said, “GMB members in retail have been stabbed, punched and threatened with syringes while trying to do their job.

“It’s completely horrifying – no one should have suffer this kind of abuse and violence at work.

“Retail employers need to ensure they have adequate staff and security to prevent this happening – and rock-solid procedures in place to support staff when it does.

Three quarters of workers have faced abuse this year, with many saying “things are always worse at Christmas.” The charity’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign is urging shoppers to help restore kindness through simple acts like a hello, thank you or smile.

Chief executive Chris Brook-Carter says, “Making assaults a specific offence will help police tackle serious crimes, but it won’t stop the daily hostility shop workers face.”