Violence and abuse against retail workers in the UK fell by around 20% over the past year, but incidents remain close to record levels, with an average of 1,600 cases reported daily, according to the latest survey from the British Retail Consortium. Daily incidents remain more than three times higher than pre-pandemic levels. Physical assaults averaged 118 cases per day, with 36 incidents involving weapons.
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Retailers detected 5.5 million shoplifting incidents over the year, with losses estimated at £400m. The figure is believed to understate the true scale, as many offences go unreported. Organised gangs are increasingly targeting high-value goods in bulk for resale, intensifying pressure on frontline staff and loss prevention teams.
Helen Dickinson said violence towards shop workers remains "endemic", adding that 'no one should go to work fearing for their safety'. Retailers attributed the decline in violence to increased security investment and closer collaboration with police and government.
Major chains including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Co-op have expanded protective tagging and security measures, as retailers call for sustained enforcement to secure long-term reductions in crime.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk
