Shop assaults 'an epidemic'

The rise in attacks has been linked to drink and drugs

Physical attacks and threats on Scots shop workers have reached record levels, a union has revealed.

Research carried out by shop workers' union Usdaw found that, on average, at least one shop assistant is attacked every hour of each working day.

It also found Scotland to be worse for shop worker assaults than anywhere else in the UK.

Union officials linked the problem to drink and drugs and said the greatest threat is from young people who are refused the sale of alcohol.

As a result, Usdaw has launched a campaign, Freedom from Fear, to highlight the scale of the problem.

'Unacceptable behaviour'

John Hannett, Usdaw's deputy general secretary, said violence and abuse of Scotland's shop workers has reached "epidemic proportions".

He added: "More and more shop workers than ever before are being attacked, threatened or abused at work.

"Retail workers are entitled to adequate protection in the workplace and we intend to pursue this on a number of fronts.

Shop worker statistics

One worker attacked every hour of each working day

47% of workplaces surveyed reported staff assaults in last year.

One in four stores said threats are made every week

Shop workers suffer verbal abuse on a daily basis

"For too long shop workers and companies have accepted that this sort of behaviour is part of the job."

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has given her backing to Usdaw's campaign.

She said: "Physical and verbal abuse must not be accepted as part of the job for shop workers and the Freedom From Fear campaign will help to harden the public's attitude against this sort of unacceptable behaviour.

"It is important that retailers, the police and local authorities work together to ensure that those working in the retail industry receive the protection they deserve."

It's quite frightening for my family and so on, visiting daddy in hospital

Ian Rankin,
Scotmid

Eight out of every 1,000 Scottish retail workers have been victims of violence at work, according to Usdaw - compared with five per 1,000 in the UK as a whole.

Ian Rankin, a deputy manager with Scotmid, has been attacked a dozen times, leaving him hospitalised on five occasions.

"It's always at the back of your mind, you just don't know what's round the corner," he said.

"Often I think it would be nice not to have that worry.

"It's quite frightening for my family and so on, visiting daddy in hospital."