MP visits Cleckheaton supermarket to back campaign protecting retail workers from abuse
The MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater, has paid a visit to Tesco in Cleckheaton to see first-hand the levels of abuse, threats, and violence that are faced by retail workers.
Kim’s visit coincided with Usdaw’s annual Respect for Shopworkers Week, which took place from Monday, November 10, with the MP hearing from staff at Tesco and nearby Home Bargains about their personal experiences of intimidation whilst at work and saw the lengths the store has had to go to, including security tagging high quantities of their stock to prevent shoplifting.
Respect Week, which runs from November 10 to November 16 is part of Usdaw’s year-round Freedom from Fear campaign which calls for greater respect for shopworkers and raising awareness of the unacceptable abuse faced by those working on the frontline of retail.
Kim said “I was shocked to see the lengths that staff at Tesco and Home Bargains have had to go to in order to keep themselves safe at work. The abuse they and other shopworkers across the country face is absolutely unacceptable, and I was appalled to see the sheer number of products which have now had to be security tagged.
“Retail workers are essential workers on the frontline of serving our communities, and they deserve to be treated with respect. That is why I am supporting Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear campaign.
“But beyond this, the fact that this campaign is needed is a marker to where we are as a society currently – from retail staff, to police officers, to politicians, to NHS workers – abuse in public life has skyrocketed, and we all have a duty as citizens to correct this course.”
Interim results from over 3,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months (change from last year): 71 per cent have experienced verbal abuse; 48 per cent were threatened by a customer; and nine per cent were assaulted.
Responding to the Usdaw survey, shopworkers shared some of the abusive comments they have faced, including:
“The abuse is when I ask for ID for age-restricted goods - mainly energy drinks. Have been sworn at, spat on and accused of being offensive for asking them.”
“Shoplifter broke a finger. Swearing, dirty looks. Been told ‘they will get me’.”
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said: “This year’s annual survey interim results show a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of incidents retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs.
“However, it remains shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.
“The scale of the problem means we also need legislation, so we welcome Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill. It is our hope that this new measure will help continue a downward trend in incidents.
“Usdaw activists (in Respect Week) 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.”
Kim added: “Over the past year, the Government has invested in policing, including summer town centre crime blitzes in over 600 locations, which will be repeated this winter.
“The Crime and Policing Bill will protect retail workers, end the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and introduce Criminal Behaviour Orders. Funding has been announced to tackle organised shoplifting, and more uniformed officers will patrol shopping areas.”