ACS

Violent incidents were reported by nearly one in three convenience stores in Scotland in 2007, suggests research by the Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF).

Many staff were threatened after requesting proof of age when customers attempted to buy alcohol.

The SGF's annual Retail Crime Survey of 553 stores found:

• 151 incidents of physical violence against staff
• 1,269 incidents of verbal abuse
• 180 incidents of racist abuse
• 31,225 incidents of customer theft
• 1,289 incidents reported to the police
• £60,250 worth of credit/debit card fraud

SGF chief executive John Drummond said: “The results of the survey, which has been carried out on an annual basis for the past four years, continue to draw attention to the violence and intimidation staff are often confronted with when selling age related products. This is simply not good enough.

“If retailers and sales staff are expected to enforce the regulations surrounding the sale of age restricted products and the repercussions if they get it wrong then the Scottish Government must reciprocate by providing the police with greater resources to tackle retail crime and support of a recognised proof of age card backed by a national awareness campaign.

“What is also clearly evident is the cost to business as a result of crime from fraud, theft and burglaries. These criminals, who are costing retail businesses millions of pounds, must be stopped and the law enforced or ultimately the cost will have to be passed on to the customer.”

To view the Retail Crime Survey click here