ACS has launched a new animation to help retailers and their staff manage and prevent violence and abuse in stores.
The 2018 ACS Crime Report estimates that there have been over 13,000 incidents of violence in store over the last year, with theft seen as the most common trigger of abuse in stores. There have also been an estimated 9,000 robberies in the sector in the last year.
The animation provides tips and guidance for people working in stores to ensure that they stay safe in the workplace and do everything they can to prevent violent and abusive situations from happening.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Retailers and their staff are on the front line in stores, enforcing the law and protecting their businesses from theft and other crimes. While convenience stores are community hubs and a safe place to work and run a business, unfortunately sometimes violence and abuse against retailers and their staff does occur. We have produced this animation to help guide people working in stores through what they can do to manage these situations.”
The animation provides guidance to retailers and staff on the common triggers for violence and abuse and how they should respond, including:
- How to enforce an age restricted sales policy
- What to look for when identifying someone that is drunk
- Dealing with shop thieves
- What to do in the event of a robbery
The full animation is available to view on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/qYZ3d9Xal2Q
More detailed guidance for retailers on how to deal with a wide range of issues in store is available here
