By Democrat reporter
Dumbarton MSP Dame Jackie Baillie has spoken out in support of retail workers during Respect for Shop Workers Week at a time of crisis in the run-up to Christmas.
Recent statistics show that shoplifting increased by 35% over the last 12 months, but the police frequently fail to turn up ven when it is reported to them immediately.
Respect for Shopworkers Week, which runs in November, is backed by shopworkers’ union Usdaw and aims to promote the message of respect for retail staff amongst the general public.
Shopworkers have faced increasing violence in the line of duty in recent years, coupled with pressures on Police Scotland, which has led to officers failing to attend when it happens.
Scottish Government figures also reveal that shoplifting has consistently been amongst the two largest categories of crimes of dishonesty in each of the last ten years.
Data also reveals an increase of 41 per cent in retail theft since 2014/15, which has resulted in shoplifting being at its highest level in ten years.
Usdaw runs the year-round Freedom From Fear campaign, raising awareness of violence against shopworkers.
Interim results from over 4,000 retail staff who responded to the union’s survey in the last twelve months, show:
- 69% have experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by a customer.
- 17% were assaulted.
- 70% of these incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.
Retail workers have reported being assaulted by thieves, as well being subjected to verbal abuse.
MSP Jackie Baillie backed the campaign. She said: “I have been contacted by retail workers in my own constituency who are concerned about the daily battle they face and the availability of Police resources to tackle the issue.
“All retail workers should be free to go about their duties without fear or apprehension over what is likely to unfold in the course of their duties.
“It is absolutely right that shop workers, who kept the nation going during the Covid pandemic and who are essential workers, receive the respect they deserve.
“I call on the Scottish Government to adequately resource Police Scotland to ensure they can offer the necessary support to retail workers who are under attack and provide a deterrent for criminals.”
Tony Doonan, Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland, said: ““Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from Scottish retail workers make very difficult reading.
“It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.
“Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly the result of a near doubling in police recorded shoplifting across Scotland since the pandemic.
“It has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order in the midst of a retail crime epidemic.
“Our survey demonstrates that theft from shops is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers.
“Having to deal with repeated and persistent theft and even looting can cause issues beyond the incident itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.
“Our members are reporting that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in their stores and much of the abuse they suffer is from those who are stealing to sell goods on, often to fund an addiction.
“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shop workers. We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning not the end.
We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackle a growing wave of retail crime and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland to make that happen.
“This week, Usdaw activists will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep your cool’, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”