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Arena Magazine Issue 04 |
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New survey vindicates union’s campaign
Violence and abuse against shopworkers continues to plague the sector, according to a new report from employers’ group the British Retail Consortium.
While reported physical attacks fell slightly, the incidents of threatening behaviour soared by more than 300 per cent on last year.
The figures were revealed at the BRC's launch of its annual crime survey. It said shoplifters, often under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accounted for more than half of all violent incidents.
Deputy General Secretary John Hannett spoke up for shopworkers at the BRC conference when he outlined the Freedom From Fear campaign.
"Our members are telling us loud and clear - enough is enough," he said. "These latest figures underline what we have been saying for some time - violence and abuse against shopworkers has reached intolerable levels. It's up to us, employers, the Government and the police to take retail crime much more seriously. If we don't get a grip on this situation then staff and customers will not feel safe in their local stores. Our members deserve to feel safe in their workplace."
The survey also reported that employers spent £540 million on crime prevention, but lost £1.7 billion to crime. The cost of burglary increased to £33 million, losses from robbery fell to £3 million, criminal damage including arson rose to £34 million, while the total cost of fraud increased to £82 million. The BRC estimates that retail crime costs each household an average of £90 a year.
- Fact - 16,200 shopworkers were attacked in 2002.
- Fact - 118,600 shopworkers were threatened or abused in 2002.
- Fact - 39 per cent of violence is drug related and 12 per cent alcohol related.
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