The Retailer Summer Edition 2021

TACKLING VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN RETAIL

Helen Dickinson OBE Chief Executive British Retail Consortium

Even before Covid there was an epidemic of retail violence and abuse – one that had been getting progressively worse with each passing year. By the start of 2020, there was over 450 incidents of violence and abuse every day, a 7% rise on the previous year. And like so many issues – the pandemic made the situation much worse. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of incidents has skyrocketed. One retailer reported a 600% increase in incidents, and they are not alone. I regularly hear the shocking stories of shop workers being spat at or intimidated with weapons, call centre workers being threatened, and delivery drivers being racially abused. And all for trying to keep the public safe – asking people to wear face coverings, asking people to socially distance, asking for ID. It is no wonder that so many retailers have put a focus on de-escalation training for their staff. If the government wants shopworkers to be gatekeepers – for age restricted items like alcohol and knives, and for safe customer behaviour in a pandemic – then theymust provide better protection for them in law. The Home Affairs Select Committee agrees, recently concluding that a new crim- inal offence is needed to protect retail workers from a “shocking upsurge in violence and abuse.” A whopping 55 MPs, from all political backgrounds in Westminster signed the BRC’s Shopworker Protection Pledge – promising to support legislation to better protect retail workers. North of the border, Scottish Parliament recently enacted Daniel Johnson MSP’s Protection of Workers Bill, which creates a specific, new criminal offence of assaulting or threatening a retail worker. This means our shop workers are better protected in Dumfries than 30 miles South in Carlisle. This can’t be right. One hundred retail CEOs wrote to the Prime Minister on 2nd July urging him to act. They were calling for the government to back an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would have created tougher sentences for violence or abuse of retail workers. While none of the amendments passed it was really encouraging to hear two government ministers – Victoria Atkins, the Minister for Safeguarding, and Robert Buckland, the Justice Secretary – acknowledge concerns about rising violence and abuse against retail workers and commit to bringing forward a government amendment to address these concerns when the Bill reaches the Lords. While there is a still some way to go, this was a positive outcome for the industry and reflects the hard work in recent years of the BRC and many of our members in shining a light on this issue. Many retailers are concerned that the easing of restrictions that took place from 19th July could provide further flashpoints for violence and abuse. To combat this, government messaging needs to be clear and consistent so that people understand what’s expected of them. The public clearly has a part to play too –while the pandemic has been hard on everyone, we all have a responsibility to be kind and considerate to shop staff and fellow customers alike, and allow others to make their own personal choices. We cannot allow colleagues to be put in the firing line because of this change in government policy. Tackling violence and abuse in retail is one of the highest priorities for both retailers and the BRC. Our colleagues have played a vital role during the pandemic, keeping customers safe and ensuring we all can access the products and services we need. Now is the time to give them the protection they deserve.

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Even before Covid there was an epidemic of retail violence and abuse – one that had been getting pro - gressively worse with each passing year”.