VIOLENCE AGAINST SUPERMARKET WORKERS ON THE RISE IN UK, SURVEY FINDS

Masked raiders ransack a Co-op store in Poole, Dorset – one of many targetedCredit: MET Police

Thu 13 June 2024:

A GMB union survey revealed that one in three Asda employees have been attacked at work, with incidents ranging from stabbings and punches to threats with syringes. The survey of nearly 1,000 members reported delivery drivers being chased and store workers having food thrown at them, with 58% experiencing injury or illness on the job, according to The Guardian.

Employees recounted being spat at, suffering broken bones, being hit with bottles, and receiving death threats. Attacks included confrontations in delivery vehicles and food being thrown in stores. The rising issue of shop worker assaults in the UK has seen reports of 1,300 daily incidents of violence and abuse, alongside increasing shoplifting.

The British Retail Consortium reported a 65% rise in shopping centre violence and abuse from 2021-22 to 2022-23. Body armour demand for security staff has surged. The government plans tougher penalties for abusive shoplifters, though some measures were recently dropped from legislation.

Labour leader Keir Starmer promised to address the “shoplifter’s charter,” and Labour’s manifesto may include related pledges. The GMB survey, with 35% of respondents reporting violence, will be discussed at their annual congress.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, called the findings “horrifying” and warned the situation could worsen with reduced staff hours, increasing vulnerability.

An Asda spokesperson stated, “Unfortunately, like all retailers, we have seen an increase of violence and aggression towards our colleagues during the last few years. The safety of our colleagues is a primary concern, which is why we have invested over £30 million during the last three years to upgrade the CCTV systems in stores.”

“We work with all of our colleague representatives in the important area of colleague security and also back calls for violence or abuse against retail workers to be made a standalone criminal offence in all parts of the UK, and hope this is a priority for any incoming government,” the spokesperson continued.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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