As the busy shopping period begins with Black Friday and
Christmas around the corner, the British Retail Consortium (BRC)
and its retail members are calling on the public to join us as we
stand together against violence and abuse towards retail workers
this Christmas. From those working in stores, to those delivering
goods and those working in customer service centres, everyone
deserves a safe Christmas.
Christmas is an incredibly complex and challenging time of year
for the retail industry, with stores and delivery services
working overtime to deliver for customers. Colleagues are extra
busy keeping shelves stocked and ensuring products are delivered
on time, yet those working in retail are often subject to more
violence and abuse during this period.
The plea comes as incidents of violence and abuse become
particularly acute of late, with the most recent crime survey from the BRC
showing incidents soar to 1,300 every single day. These
incidents, which can include everything from threats with weapons
and physical assaults to racial slurs, can take a severe toll on
the physical and mental health of victims, who must return to
work day after day wondering whether they will be targeted.
With up to a third of all retail sales being made online in the
run up to Christmas, delivery drivers will be busier than ever.
Violence and abuse is not restricted to those working in
stores, delivery drivers have been subjected to abuse, physical
violence, and threats with weapons. As a result, many are being
equipped with protective measures, such as personal safety
devices to alert the police of their whereabouts, and DNA spit
testing kits.
Retailers are calling on the Government to ensure the standalone
offence for assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker
is introduced as quickly as possible and applies to all working
in the industry. This would send a clear message that such
behaviour will not be tolerated, making retail workers safer when
doing their job.
We all have a part to play in creating a friendly and enjoyable
environment for staff, and other customers this Christmas, and we
ask customers for their patience, kindness and consideration
during this busy time.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British
Retail Consortium, said:
“As the clock runs down to Christmas, retail colleagues will be
working extra hard to look after customers, helping them find
what they need, keeping shelves stocked, and delivering gifts to
people's homes. While Christmas is an exceptionally busy time,
any mistreatment of our colleagues will not be tolerated and we
ask the public to stand with us in the fight against retail
crime. Confrontations, be it verbal abuse or physical assault,
can take a huge toll on victims, their families and their
colleagues. Christmas is a time for everyone to enjoy.
“What our colleagues face on a daily basis is completely
unacceptable. It is vital that the Government sends a clear
message and ensures the new standalone offence applies to
all consumer-facing roles in retail. Together we can deliver a
safer Christmas for everyone, and end the scourge of violence
against retail workers.”
Paddy Lillis, General Secretary of Usdaw,
said:
“Retail staff working in stores and delivering to customers
deserve far more respect than they receive. It is shocking that
over two-thirds are suffering abuse from customers, with far too
many experiencing threats and violence. Seven in ten of these
incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly
the result of a significant increase in police recorded
shoplifting.
“Usdaw activists are campaigning in their workplaces and
communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect shop
workers' and ‘keep your cool', particularly in the runup to
Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get
busy and customers become frustrated. This is a hugely important
issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that
enough is enough.”
Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of Retail Trust,
said:
“We see a rise in the number of people calling the Retail
Trust's helpline every Christmas as stores get busier and
shoppers take out their frustrations on staff. Shop
workers tell us they have products thrown at them and
smashed up in front of them while those delivering orders
get doors slammed in their faces and objects hurled in
their direction. This completely unacceptable behaviour will
leave many with no option but to consider leaving their jobs in
the new year due to the understandable toll it takes on their
physical and mental health.
“The Retail Trust has been running free training in November to
give hundreds of retail workers new skills to manage and deal
with any difficult situations this Christmas but we're also
asking shoppers to think carefully about the impact they're
having on the people that are working hard to help them. A little
bit more patience and kindness will go a long way in making the
Christmas shopping experience more enjoyable for everyone.”
Camilla Kater, SVP of Rider & Care at Deliveroo,
said:
“Delivery riders work very hard during the
festive season, supporting restaurants and shops to reach
customers across the UK. We're urging the Government through our
Right to Ride Safely campaign to ensure the standalone offence
for assaulting or threatening a retail worker also includes
delivery riders given the vital role they play in the retail
industry. No one should feel unsafe whilst working, and abuse
towards delivery riders should never be tolerated.”
