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USDAW

More than 100,000 British shop workers were victims of physical violence between 1995 and 2001. Twice as many were threatened with violence. Half a million shop workers were verbally abused. In 2001 only, almost 20,000 staff were physically assaulted and 60,000 verbally abused.

"For too long, shop workers and companies have accepted that this sort of behaviour is part of the job. Usdaw is out to change that mindset and give shop workers the respect, safety and freedom from fear of attack that they deserve", says the union's deputy general secretary John Hannett. The Freedom from Fear campaign, which Usdaw is now launching, topped the agenda of the union's Annual Delegate Meeting earlier this month in Blackpool. In moving personal testimonies about abuse that they have suffered from, delegates confirmed that their union is into an issue of real concern for its members.

When one out of four stores is the scene of threats or attacks every week, it is time to act, says the British UNI Commerce affiliate. The union has called for broad support for their campaign, both from political decision makers and employers. This support is now building up.

"Usdaw has properly highlighted the problem over the past few years and we certainly believe that action against retail crime is one very important part of the action against crime generally", says British prime minister Tony Blair. Members of Parliament are now signing up to a motion, which would call on the government to "make retail crime a police Key Performance Indicator and to promote and resource town centre and safer shopping partnerships."

As a centrepiece of their campaign, Usdaw has produced a Charter, which retailers are asked to sign up to. Supported by the employers group, the British Retail Consortium, the Charter sets out the minimum standards of respect, courtesy and dignity which the UK shop workers can expect.