The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is calling for public support against rising retail worker abuse this Christmas.
- Incidents of threats, physical assaults, and racial abuse against retail staff have increased to 1,300 daily.
- Delivery drivers face heightened risks during the festive season, necessitating safety measures such as personal safety devices.
- BRC urges the government to introduce a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers promptly.
- Industry fears government policies on National Insurance may lead to job losses and price hikes.
The British Retail Consortium has issued an urgent appeal to the public, advocating for a stand against the escalating abuse faced by retail workers during the Christmas period. As the festive season approaches, incidents of violence and abuse in retail settings have surged dramatically, with reports indicating as many as 1,300 occurrences each day. These range from threats involving weapons to physical assaults and racial slurs targeted at staff.
Delivery drivers, who play a crucial role in the retail supply chain, are particularly vulnerable during this busy time of year. Many drivers are now being equipped with personal safety devices designed to alert police, alongside DNA spit testing kits as a precautionary measure against potential confrontations.
The BRC has made a stark call to the government, highlighting the necessity for legislative measures that acknowledge and protect the safety of retail workers. They stress the importance of swiftly introducing a standalone offence for assaulting, threatening, or abusing workers within the retail sector. Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, emphasised the unacceptable nature of daily threats faced by retail staff, urging governmental intervention to ensure a safer working environment: “Together we can deliver a safer Christmas for everyone, and end the scourge of violence against retail workers.”
There is an underlying concern across the industry related to potential job losses as a consequence of the government’s recent decision to increase National Insurance. The BRC, alongside major UK retailers, has communicated apprehensions that the policy could lead to inevitable job reductions, store closures, and increased prices. This adds another layer of challenge for the retail sector during an already demanding period.
The call for public support and government action highlights the critical need to ensure retail worker safety amidst rising abuse.
