BRC urges shoppers to stand against retail worker abuse this festive season

The British Retail Consortium and its members are urging the public to join them in making a stand against violence and abuse towards retail workers this Christmas.

It comes as a recent crime survey from the BRC shows that incidents, which can include everything from threats with weapons and physical assaults to racial slurs, soar to 1,300 every single day.

With up to a third of all retail sales being made online in the run up to Christmas, the organisation also highlights that violence and abuse is not restricted to those working in stores. Delivery drivers have also been subjected to abuse, physical violence, and threats with weapons.

As a result, many drivers are being equipped with protective measures, such as personal safety devices to alert police of their whereabouts, and DNA spit testing kits.

The announcement comes as retailers call on the Government to ensure the standalone offence for assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker is introduced quickly and applies to all working in the industry.

Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, said: "As the clock runs down to Christmas, retail colleagues will be working extra hard to look after customers, helping them find what they need, keeping shelves stocked, and delivering gifts to people’s homes.

"What our colleagues face on a daily basis is completely unacceptable. It is vital that the Government sends a clear message and ensures the new standalone offence applies to all consumer-facing roles in retail. Together we can deliver a safer Christmas for everyone, and end the scourge of violence against retail workers."

Chris Brook-Carter, CEO of Retail Trust, added: "We see a rise in the number of people calling the Retail Trust’s helpline every Christmas as stores get busier and shoppers take out their frustrations on staff.

"We have been running free training to give retail workers new skills to manage and deal with any difficult situations this Christmas but we’re also asking shoppers to think carefully about the impact they’re having on the people that are working hard to help them.

"A little bit more kindness will go a long way in making the Christmas shopping experience more enjoyable for everyone."