Usdaw urges the Government to protect shopworkers in the face of increased shoplifting
Shopworkers union Usdaw has called on the Government to do more to protect shopworkers following an increase in shoplifting last year.
While welcoming the latest crime statistics for England and Wales which show an overall decrease in crime, the union has expressed concern over the fact that shoplifting rates rose by 6% during 2013.
Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said: “In the course of their duties shopworkers can be put in real danger, suffering violence, threats and abuse. So it is always a real concern to our members when incidents of shoplifting are on the increase, because too often that can result in the shopworkers being assaulted by the thief.
“Every day over 300 shopworkers are assaulted, so there is a real need to address the scourge of violence against workers and I am concerned that the attackers are getting away with relatively lenient sentences.
“We will continue to campaign for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out and to give a clear message that assaulting shopworkers is totally unacceptable.”
