Retail body in action plan to tackle surge of attacks on shop workers

Among report’s findings is that 67% of staff have been abused or assaulted

ALMOST 70% of retail workers have been the victim of violence and threats, according to a new report handed over at Stormont.

Trade body Retail NI yesterday revealed its action plan in Parliament Buildings to tackle crime against shop staff.

The Working Together report includes the results of a survey of over 300 Retail NI members.

It makes 17 recommendations for the Executive and PSNI to help address the problem.

Chris O’reilly, who operates Retail Zoo and owns several Belfast convenience stores, said: “Just last week I had a prolific shoplifter come into one of my shops and steal hundreds of pounds worth of laundry detergent. I confronted him outside, only for him to grab my arms and attempt to headbutt me.”

The man was arrested and charged — but reappeared in the shop the next day.

He added: “Another example is last year when a prolific beggar on the Ormeau Road attempted to come into the Post Office in the Spar. He became irate and aggressive. He was told not to come back, only for him to return with his partner the next day to scream and shout at the Post Office worker, a slight girl in her 20s who was upset by it all.

“Again, he was arrested and charged, appeared an hour late for court, was found guilty, but yet again, appeared in the shop within the next few days.

“This is why this report is important — there needs to be proper consequences.”

The report’s statistics reveal that 67% of retail staff have been victims of violence and threats, while 51% have left their jobs because of the abuse.

Some 91% have experienced shoplifting on a regular basis; 72% were pleased with the police response, however 91% were disappointed with the follow-up.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “Our report highlights the huge impact that crime is having on our members’ business, their staff and the wider economy.

“It is a startling statistic that 67% of those surveyed reported that their staff have been victims of assault and threats and 51% were losing staff as a result.

“Our members are extremely frustrated with the criminal justice system and feel let down by the punishments — or the lack of — for offenders. Confidence building measures are urgently needed and visible action taken against those who are found guilty of theft and intimidate shop staff.”

He called for a more “effective partnership” between his organisation, the Department of Justice and the PSNI.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “The Department of Justice is fully committed to working with all partners, including businesses, the community and voluntary sector, PSNI, as well as other departments and organisations, to ensure that we have a community where we all feel safe to live and work.

“I condemn all abuse and violence directed at any frontline workers.

“No one should face mistreatment whilst doing their job and serving the public, and such attacks are wholly unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

“The introduction of further protections for these workers is something to which I am giving further consideration.”

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd added: “This report provides valuable focus to our ongoing work to address the impact of crime on our business community.

“We recognise this impact can be severe and, as a service, we dedicate considerable effort to working with local businesses and partner organisations to tackle retail-related crime.

“The recommendations of this report will be considered in line with our existing proactive work on business crime, which includes Safer Business Action Days and our first-in-the-uk Safe Shop staff training initiative.

“However, our difficult funding environment is having a very real impact on the scope of our work, including our neighbourhood policing teams.”

He said “sustaining this level of focus will be increasingly challenging” unless police are “properly and sustainably funded”.

“Working Together is key; partnership working is a resource multiplier,” Mr Todd said.

“Within the wider Business Crime Partnership, we will continue working to ensure that Northern Ireland remains a safe, attractive and prosperous place to live and do business.”

‘The report highlights the huge impact that crime is having on business and staff ’