11 November 2024, 15:05 | Updated: November 11, 2024, 3:09 p.m

One in six shop workers have been assaulted by a customer in the past year, a shocking new survey shows.

Shoplifting is still the biggest trigger of violence, threats and abuse against shop workers, according to a new annual report by retail trade union Usdaw.

Responses from more than 4,000 retail workers revealed that seven in ten (69 per cent) had experienced verbal abuse, almost half (45 per cent) had been threatened by a customer and 17 per cent of people said they had been bullied.

Members have reported that they often encounter hardened career criminals in their stores, with many sell goods to try to finance their addictions.

The union linked it to increased levels of shoplifting as Britain faces a new epidemic of emboldened criminals walking out of shops.

And they said the current laws had become an “open invitation” to apprehend criminals.

Seventy percent of the incidents were triggered by theft, and two-thirds were addiction-related, the study found.

Police statistics show that shoplifting has increased almost a third in the year to June.

An employee at the store said they were attacked with homophobic comments, adding that they suffered “threats to hurt me because I refused the sale, mocking me when I asked for ID.

“Once I was held at knifepoint. I was often told to fuck myself.”

Others said they were “hit with baskets or trolleys” and a thief “grabbed my arm”.

One added: “Swearing was done regularly, especially by young customers when asked for ID for cigarettes and energy drinks. Medicine bottles were thrown at me.”

Another said: · “He was asked if I wanted to be fingered. My buttocks also got hit. People threatening to stab my colleagues.”

Labor has promised to end the so-called amnesty for stealing goods worth less than £200 – seen as a get-out clause for shop workers – with a new clause. The Crime and Policing Bill is expected later this year.

Caller Mike identifies 2012 as the time when “there was no point in calling in a shoplifting crime”

It will also give them powers to ban repeat crime from city centers and strengthen protections for shop workers in the law.

The Usdaw survey marks their annual Shop Worker Respect Week – where members are raising awareness.

Paddy Lillis – General Secretary of Usdaw said stores are being targeted by organized crime gangs “stealing to order”.

He added: “It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail suffer abuse from customers, far too many face threats and violence.

“It has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organized crime gangs who steal to order amid an epidemic of retail crime.

“Our survey demonstrates that shoplifting is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers.”

“This week, Usdaw campaigners will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities, asking the shopping public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep calm’, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases on as stores get busy and customers become frustrated.

“This is a hugely important issue to our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

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