Retail trade union Usdaw has drawn attention to a new crime dataset published by the Office for National Statistics, which indicates a 29 per cent increase in shoplifting for the year ending June 2024 compared to the year ending June 2023 for England and Wales.

The dataset is available to download at https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/policeforceareadatatables

According to its own findings from an unrelated Usdaw survey, the union found that 18 per cent of shop workers suffered a physical assault in 2023, compared to 8 per cent in 2022.

5,500 retail staff were surveyed as part of Usdaw's research.

'Physical assaults' were defined as including being spat at or coughed at, being punched or kicked, and attacks with weapons.

The survey nevertheless found that fewer threats of violence had been made against shop workers in 2023 compared to 2022.

Fewer incidences of verbal abuse were also reported in 2023 compared to 2022.

Usdaw's report is available to view at https://usdawlive.b-cdn.net/nvzhuezp/fff-survey-results-report-2023.pdf