Usdaw calls for a more serious approach to retail crime
Date: 21 January 2013
Tens of thousands of retail staff are being subject to assault, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse, a new report has shown.
The latest evidence from employers' group the British Retail
Consortium (BRC), as part of its annual Retail Crime Survey, shows
that the number of incidents of crime rose across all categories
except violence against staff and robbery. In total crime cost the
sector £1.6 billion but 'dramatically fewer incidents are being
reported to police'.
Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said: "While we welcome the
reduction in the number of incidents of violence against staff,
2012 still saw more than 28,700 retail workers attacked, threatened
or verbally abused during the year – totally unacceptable. Every
worker deserves to be treated with respect and should not have to
put up with aggressive and abusive behaviour.
"We agree with the BRC that there is also a massive problem of
under-reporting in the sector. It's clear that both employees and
employers feel the police are not treating retail crime as
seriously as they should be. So it's vital that we restore
confidence in the police when dealing with retail crime. Our own
figures show incidents of verbal abuse and threatening behaviour
are still all too commonplace. We also know shoplifting is often a
flashpoint and the most common trigger for violence against
staff.
"To add insult to injury the Coalition has recently rushed
through changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS)
which will see shopworkers who are innocent victims of violent
crime receive little or no compensation for their injuries and
trauma. In addition the Coalition has also cut police numbers
significantly which we believe further exposes vulnerable
staff.
"We will continue to work with employers, the police –
particularly the new Police & Crime Commissioners, and local
authorities, as part of our Freedom From Fear campaign, to minimise
risks, encourage reporting of all incidents and ensure staff are
fully protected. Retail crime is not a victimless crime and abuse
is definitely not part of the job."
Notes to Editors:
- Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is
the UK's fourth biggest and fastest growing trade union with over
424,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the
last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most
Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has
many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing,
chemicals and other trades.
- For more information on the CICS visit:
http://www.usdaw.org.uk/newsevents/news/2012/nov/governmentsshameasitcuts.aspx
- To view all Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news
- For more information on Usdaw's award-winning Freedom From Fear
campaign visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/freedomfromfear