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'I've been kicked and spat on' say shop workers

Getty Images A man in blue overalls is kneeling in front of a shelf full of food. He is filling in a box with food and drink items.Getty Images
Shop workers want more protection from abusive customers

Shop workers are calling for the same protection as NHS staff.

It comes after figures from retail trade union Usdaw showed 69% had experienced verbal abuse, 45% have been threatened by a customer and 17% have been assaulted.

Crian Williams, 46, has worked in retail for more than two decades and says she has been kicked and spat on.

Crian, from Ebbw Vale, said: "I was on a night shift when a young woman, clearly inebriated, came into the store.

"She was trying to steal alcohol, but was caught by the guards before she could leave the store.

"Being the only female on shift I was called to assist the guards, but she kicked me and spat in my face."

Crian Williams A woman wearing black rimmed glasses smiles at the camera. She's got short blonde hair.Crian Williams
Crian Williams has spent 26 years in retail

Crian says her colleagues experienced similar issues of being spat on during the Covid pandemic.

"Customers would spit on them and then say they have Covid.

"This was obviously very stressful for them. It's not what you need when you're just trying to do your job."

Usdaw ran a survey as part of its "respect for shop workers week" this week, speaking to 4,000 of its members.

Comments from Welsh participants included:

  • “Refused sale of alcohol, and threatened by five people that I'd get beaten up when my shift finished.”
  • "Been punched in the face, kicked under my chin and had stitches. Wrist sprained and products thrown at me which knocked me to the floor.”
  • "Rose plant thrown at me and threatened to be stabbed.”
  • “Shoplifters just laugh in our faces as they leave with bags full of washing powder. They don't care any more because they know we can't do anything."
USDAW A white man with grey hair stares at the camera. He is wearing a blue suit jacket, white shirt and red tie.USDAW
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, says two thirds of members have reported suffering abuse

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from Welsh retail workers make very difficult reading.

"It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence."

Crian said attacks against shop workers are up again due to the cost of living crisis.

"People can't afford things and they shout at us, if things aren't available or out of stock due to the two ongoing wars, people shout abuse at us. It's really not on," she said.

"We're key workers, aren't we? So we should get the same rights as NHS staff. Abuse against shop staff should be treated the same way as abuse against ambulance or NHS staff.

"There should be more education around this issue."

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