Concern over shop attacks

Shopkeepers operate "in fear" of robbery

Shopkeepers in Dundee and Aberdeen are the most vulnerable in Britain to violent attacks, according to a new report.

Almost a third of the retailers in those cities said they have been attacked by raiders - and one incident in four involved a weapon.

Small shops in local authority housing schemes are particularly vulnerable, especially late at night.

Shops in remote communities are also vulnerable, although the Scottish Borders was highlighted as one of the safest areas.

Signatures are being collected for a petition

The statistics, contained in an Independent Retail News (IRN) study, found that across Britain a quarter of those who work in off-licences, newsagents and post offices have come face-to-face with robbers.

And more than half the attackers were wielding knives or guns.

The survey is claimed to be the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken into the impact of violent crime on small retailers.

IRN editor Richard Siddie said: "The industry is buckling under the stress that this level of violent crime is causing."

According to the survey, the Scottish Borders is one of the safest areas for small business owners.

Only 16% of those in the area constantly feel threatened and one in five has reported violence - both figures below the national average.

Blood-filled syringes

In Central Scotland, weapons were used in 61% of attacks in shops.

The list of items used included baseball bats, broken bottles, iron bars, bricks, CS gas and blood-filled syringes.

Two fifths of all attacks are serious enough to require a stay in hospital or time off work, according to the survey.

And it says that the resulting stresses are causing many shopkeepers to consider closing their doors.

We are also asking people to support their local shopkeepers to help them fight back against the violence that threatens their jobs and their livelihood

Richard Siddie, Editor

"Retail crime has reached record levels," said Mr Siddie.

"Threatening behaviour, shoplifting, till snatches and vandalism are everyday occurrences and part of working life for retailers."

Nearly 30% of retailers said they feel at risk "all the time," while more than 20% describe their daily fear level as either "unbearable" or "very severe."

A Federation of Small Business spokeswoman said crime was always a major issue.

"They can try to defend themselves against crime but it's very hard to get compensated for things lost by theft," she said.

Almost half of the shops have been attacked more than once.

Combat the violence

The Scottish Retail Consortium says offenders should receive tougher sentences and that cases should be brought to court more quickly.

According to the survey, only 23% of those cases reported end in conviction.

Retailers are to collect signatures on a petition calling for Prime Minister Tony Blair to take immediate steps to tackle the problem.

Steps include funds to help small shops get crime prevention and store security equipment.

Mr Siddie said: "We are also asking people to support their local shopkeepers to help them fight back against the violence that threatens their jobs and their livelihood."

More than 1,600 convenience stores, off-licences, forecourt shops and post offices took part in the study.