Shopworker screamed for help when threatened with knife

A WARRINGTON shopworker has told how she screamed for help when she was threatened with a knife at work.
She said: “It was an armed robbery. I was threatened with a knife.
“I was on my own when it happened. The supervisor was in the back office.
“They smashed the till with a hammer. I never felt so alonge – no matter how loud I screamed, no one came.”
The woman’s ordeal was revealed by shopworker’s union Usdaw when they released stocking statistics from a survey which showed that on average, North West shopworkers are verbally abused, threatened or assaulted 24 times last year – nearly once a fortnight.
While not all shopworkers suffer to this extent, some experience much higher levels of abuse, threats and violence.
Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Survey shows that during 2018:
* 65 per cent of North West shopworkers experienced verbal abuse (which is above the national average),
* 39 per cent were threatened by a customer,
* 32 were assaulted every day.
The Government has opened a ‘call for evidence’ on this growing issue, following pressure from Usdaw, employers like the Co-op and retailers’ representative organisations like the Association of Convenience Stores, British Retail Consortium and National Federation of Retail Newsagents. The Government is seeking the views of organisations and individuals who wish to contribute to their understanding of the problem of violence and abuse toward shop staff in England and Wales. This consultation closes at 11pm on 28 June 2019 and submissions can be made online at: www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/PVAUE/
Usdaw is running their own survey, which will feed into the Home Office “call for evidence” and can be completed at: www.usdaw.org.uk/respectsurvey
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Violence, threats and abuse against workers are amongst the great scourges of our society. The statistics are shocking and show that urgent action is required. On average a North West shopworker can end up on the wrong side of a verbal or physical assault nearly once a fortnight. Our message is clear – abuse is not a part of the job.
“Life on the frontline of retail can be pretty tough for many shopworkers and there is still a lot to do to help protect them. We launched our Freedom From Fear Campaign in the face of growing concerns amongst retail staff about violence, threats and abuse. The campaign works with employers to promote respect and make shops safer for staff and customers alike.
“So there needs to be action to help protect staff. We want the Government to provide stiffer penalties for those who assault workers; a simple stand-alone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.
“Usdaw welcomes the Government opening a ‘call for evidence’ and we encourage everyone concerned with this issue to make their voices heard by contributing to the Home Office online consultation or visiting the Usdaw website to complete our survey, which we will submit to the Government.
“Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”