Home / Crime and Justice / Retail Staff Face Violence: New Law Offers Protection
Retail Staff Face Violence: New Law Offers Protection
19 Sep
Summary
- Retail workers report physical attacks, spitting, and verbal abuse.
- A new law in England and Wales criminalizes assault on retail workers.
- Safety training and legislation aim to reduce abuse and encourage reporting.
Retail workers are frequently subjected to verbal abuse, spitting, and physical assaults, with some colleagues being attacked during shoplifting incidents. Laurissa Woolgar, a retail manager, shared experiences of colleagues being wrestled for items and enduring constant verbal harassment, which impacts trust and well-being.
Recognizing these issues, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) and major retailers urged the Home Secretary to enact stronger protections. A security guard was threatened with a knife, highlighting the severity of threats faced. Retail security worker Cory from Oxfordshire also recounted being pushed and swung at by young individuals.
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has established a criminal offense for assaulting retail workers in England and Wales, carrying penalties of up to six months in prison and unlimited fines. This law aims to reduce offending and abuse.
The Retail Trust charity offers safety and de-escalation training to equip staff with confidence and techniques. Their research indicates 41% of the workforce considered quitting due to workplace abuse. Director Mike Chiswell noted incidents like being hit with shopping baskets, leading to dental surgery.
Despite these efforts, reporting remains a challenge, with up to one in four incidents potentially going unreported. A Home Office spokesperson stated that retail crime is no longer dismissed as low-level offending, noting a 4% decrease in shop theft and a 19% rise in charges compared to the previous year.
