Third of shop staff could quit jobs after assaults and abuse amid surge in verbal and physical attacksthedigitalchaps

Almost one in three public-facing staff members working in shops, hospitality and other industries are thinking of leaving their jobs due to abuse or assault, according to new research.

More than 55 of Britain’s bosses have signed an open letter to the Government demanding action to protect their staff amid a surge in verbal and physical attacks.

Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts, Aldi chief Giles Hurley, Post Office boss Nick Read, and the head of DIY chain Wickes, David Wood, are among the signatories.

It follows a campaign by The Mail on Sunday to end the retail crime epidemic, which is also calling for the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts to be tougher on shoplifters.

The Institute of Customer Service (ICS) found that fewer than half of the victims reported cases of violence and shoplifting, as the incidents are so frequent that they believed reporting them would make no difference. A fifth of workers who were victimised took sick leave as a result.

The open letter follows a campaign by The Mail on Sunday to end the retail crime epidemic, which is also calling for the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts to be tougher on shoplifters (File Photo)

Jo Causon, head of the ICS, which wants attacking shop staff and others in service roles to be a specific offence, said abuse of employees is taking a toll on the UK economy.

‘It impacts productivity and leads to an increased number of resignations, as well as a decline in the quality of public services and economic output of businesses,’ she said.

The letter calls on the policing Minister Chris Philp to ensure these assaults are recorded separately in police statistics.

The Institute of Customer Service (ICS) found that fewer than half of the victims reported cases of violence and shoplifting, as the incidents are so frequent that they believed reporting them would make no difference (File Photo)

The Tory chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Customer Service, Philip Davies, Green Party peer Baroness Bennett and Labour MP Olivia Blake have all offered their support.

Last month, a similar letter was signed by 88 retail bosses.

‘It’s disheartening to have to report again on the unacceptable levels of abuse facing customer-facing workers, who make up more than 60 per cent of the UK workforce,’ Ms Causon said.

The Mail on Sunday revealed in September that Tesco is offering body-worn cameras to staff dealing with the public, due to a surge in assaults.