MSP Jackie Baillie has called for action to support shop workers after fresh concerns were raised over the rise in violence against retail staff.

The issue has risen to national prominence in recent months, following an apparent reluctance of police forces to investigate ‘minor’ crimes.

Fears are rife that the move has left criminals with a licence to pillage retail premises and sparked an increase in violence against frontline retail staff.

Retail trade union Usdaw recently unveiled shocking statistics from their annual survey of more than 5,500 retail staff, which revealed that 18 per cent of shop workers were subjected to a violent attack last year.

The figure rose spectacularly when compared with the eight per cent figure returned in 2022 and the effects on shop workers of a “Tsunami” of retail crime were also highlighted late last year at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s annual conference in Glasgow.

Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, has branded the soaring increases in retail crime as an “epidemic”, citing both official figures and reports from retailers as showing significant increases in theft from shops.

The union’s survey also found the number of incidents has dropped since the exceptionally high levels during the pandemic, but remains higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019.

Dumbarton constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, said: “The impact of crime and abuse on retail workers forced to cope in the face of increasing violence and threats has risen greatly in public consciousness, yet they are still forced to face these difficulties just to earn a wage.

“It is absolutely essential that shopworkers in our communities are free to go about their daily work without fear of abuse, violence or intimidation.

“That is why I support Usdaw’s campaign and why I call on the public to back retail staff.

“The Covid pandemic highlighted the essential services shopworkers provide in our communities. They are the unsung heroes of our high streets and it is vital that they can face their working day without fear.”

In the last twelve months (pre-pandemic levels in brackets, from the 2019 survey):

•            70% (68%) have experienced verbal abuse.

•            46% (43%) were threatened by a customer.

•            18% (5%) were assaulted.

These findings follow similar trends to recent reports from the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores.

Both retail trade bodies identified significant increases in violence and abuse against shopworkers alongside much higher levels of shoplifting – though to be costing the industry £3 billion in lost stock and security measures.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary commented: “No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are.

“It is shocking that nearly a fifth of our members working in retail are being 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.”

“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on.

“Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 61 per cent of these incidents.

“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shopworkers.”

Laws to protect shopworkers already exist in Scotland and have secured more than 500 convictions but police forces under strain are often reluctant to attend.

Mr Lillis also called for more neighbourhood police officers and patrols in town centres to help curb the thefts, as well as the banning of repeat offenders from retail premises.

He added: “Most of all, we ask the public to support our campaign by respecting shopworkers.”

Figures from Police Scotland for quarter two of 2023/24, reveal that crimes of dishonesty have risen from 776 in the same quarter of 2022/23 to 976 in the quarter in West Dunbartonshire, with cases of Theft by Shoplifting rising from 234 to 342.

Crimes of dishonesty is the largest crime group recorded in Scotland, with shoplifting accounting for 28 per cent of all crimes of dishonesty in 2022/23.

Usdaw’s Full report is available here: www.usdaw.org.uk/FFFReport2023

Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against workers by engaging the public, shopworkers and the Government. www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Freedom-From-Fear