ACS is encouraging shopworkers across England and Wales to report every incident of abuse when it occurs as part of a campaign alongside the Home Office, Crimestoppers and USDAW.
The campaign aims to challenge the perception that being subject to verbal abuse and aggressive behaviour is a normal part of working in retail. Figures from the 2019 Crime Report show that 83% of staff working in local shops have been subjected to verbal abuse within the past 12 months, while USDAW’s 2018 survey of shopworkers shows that 12% of shopworkers have been physically assaulted in their career.
Retailers and their staff are being encouraged to #AlwaysReportAbuse, either to 999 in an emergency, to 101 for other incidents, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they want to report incidents anonymously.
The campaign is also targeting the public with a series of powerful stories of people working in retail that have been subject to serious attacks, armed robberies and other offences to highlight the human impact of crime.
The Home Office funded campaign is being delivered by the Association of Convenience Stores, and campaign supporters include Crimestoppers, USDAW, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, the Co-Operative, McColls, SPAR, Nisa Retail, Booker, Costcutter, Londis, BP, Sewell Group and James Convenience Retail.
