VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS AND ASSAULT.. DRIVEN BY SHOPLIFTING SCOURGE

SHOP workers have laid bare the horrifying scale of abuse and violence they are facing, with shoplifting the primary cause.

- NATASHA WYNARCZYK

Respondents to a survey by trade union Usdaw said they had been held up at knifepoint, hit with trollies or baskets and had items hurled at them, as retail crime soars.

Female workers also described being taunted with sexual comments and having their buttocks smacked.

Results from the poll, of more than 4,000 workers, found 69% had been verbally abused in the past 12 months, 45% had been threatened and 17% had been assaulted.