Don't give drunks a licence to violence

Worried shopworkers fear proposed changes to Scotland's liquor licensing laws could spark a huge rise in violence and abuse towards retail staff, their trade union Usdaw reveals today.

Already subject to a 50 per cent rise in attacks since 1999, Scottish shopworkers are clearly in no doubt that the number of violent incidents will surge upwards if shops and supermarkets are allowed to sell alcohol beyond the current 10pm evening cut-off point.

Usdaw - in its submission to the Nicholson Committee's review of Scotland's licensing laws - opposes the extension of licensing hours in retail off-sales premises. The overriding concern is the higher risk of violence, abuse and threatening behaviour towards shopworkers.

Usdaw is concerned that the personal safety of its shopworker members would be at risk from more drunken customers, more thieves and more attempted under-age sales.

Retail industry research has revealed a 50 per cent increase in the number of violent attacks against shopworkers in the UK since 1999, with over half of these incidents being attributed to the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

The Scottish Retail Consortium's Retail Crime Survey shows that there were 31 incidents of violence per 100 retail outlets in Scotland in 2000. Usdaw has a campaign, called Freedom From Fear, which aims to raise awareness of this issue and improve workplace safety.

Usdaw was eager to involve its members in the current review of licensing laws and sent out a questionnaire asking for their views. This revealed that 80 per cent are opposed to the extension of licensing hours in shops and supermarkets, with many members highlighting their vulnerability to attacks and abuse late at night when security is often down to a minimum.

More liquor licences are in place for off-sale premises than any other sector in Scotland. Of the 17,162 liquor licences in force in Scotland in 2001, 6,336 were for off-sale premises, compared to 5,084 for public houses, 2,455 for hotels, and 1,473 for restaurants.

Sir Bill Connor, Usdaw General Secretary, said: "Shopworkers in Scotland have genuine fears for their safety if licensing hours are extended in shops and supermarkets. No-one should go to work in fear of being attacked, threatened or abused. Usdaw calls on the Scottish Executive to thoroughly investigate the impact on shopworkers of any extension to off-sales licences."

Notes to journalists:

With over 331,000 members, including over 36,000 in Scotland, Usdaw is the UK's fifth largest trade union. More information and news releases are available at newsroom.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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