An ex-Tesco worker has spoken out about the abuse retail staff face everyday amid fears Gloucester city centre is “out of control” with assaults and thefts.
Retail crime is a growing issue across the UK and it was highlighted in a recent report from the Co-op group which recorded more than 333,000 incidents in 2023. This was up 44 per cent on the previous year.
And, in Gloucester, the City Council has pledged to work with the retail sector, the business improvement district, Gloucester City Safe and businesses to understand the severity of the issue and take increased action to tackle retail crime and protect retail workers.
Councillors backed a motion by the Labour group last week to look at securing more resources to address the issue.
And civic chiefs say they recognise the impact crime is having on shop workers in the city with retail staff feeling demoralised and in danger at their workplace.
Councillor Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale), who used to work at Quedgeley Tesco, told those present at North Warehouse on July 18 that he has seen his fair share of “nasty people”.
“Now somebody on the tills has to wear a body cam because they are in danger nearly every single day,” he said.
“I’m big enough and ugly enough to take what I get but some of these 16 year olds are being threatened.
“We never used to have it years ago. Something is broken with people who can’t wait two minutes.
“It’s shocking. They throw things around the shop.
He also spoke of an incident when a gang went in and “stripped the whole shelf of bottles of gin”.
Labour group leader Terry Pullen (L, Moreland), who seconded the motion which was amended by the Liberal Democrats, said he, along with MP
Alex McIntyre, who at the time was parliamentary candidate, visited three shops in April with then shadow minister Alex Davies-Jones to see what kind of problems the retail sector is facing.
Cllr Pullen said he was horrified to hear of the problems retail staff are facing. While they were at a clothes shop in Northgate Street, someone ran in, took a load of clothes and perfume and ran out.
“Right in front of us,” he said. “To be honest, I couldn’t believe it.
“Apparently there’s nothing you can do about it.”
He said he was also told by staff at a fast food restaurant in Southgate Street how people walk in, take something off the shelf and walk out without paying for it.
And Cllr Pullen also spoke of an incident at a coffee shop in Eastgate Street where a manager challenged someone who refused to pay and was abused and assaulted.
He said the incident was reported to the police but they did not turn up. They contacted her several days later and said they would report it as a crime.
“But we are not going to do anything else about it. Clearly things are completely out of control in the city centre.”
Councillors voted to approve the motion, with one abstention, which calls on the council to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner asking for a review of arrangements for tackling retail crime by frequent and repeat offenders.
They want to ensure and encourage retail workers to report incidents of retail crime, including abuse and threatening behaviour towards staff, in the confidence that the police will take action.
They also want to work with retailers where appropriate to reduce the opportunities, likelihood and ease of shoplifting in their premises. And support efforts to strengthen protection for shop workers including ensuring any new criminal offence of assaulting retail workers is enforced.
The council will also write to MP Alex McIntyre to use his membership of the House of Commons to achieve this.
