VIOLENCE against shopworkers has more than doubled in a year, according to Usdaw’s latest annual survey, as official figures show that shoplifting has risen by over a third.

Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. 

The 37 per cent increase in shoplifting in 2023, reaching the highest level in 20 years, is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning. Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Our survey results show that seven in 10 of retail workers suffered abuse from customers, nearly half were threatened and 18 per cent assaulted. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 60 per cent of these incidents.