Shop workers abused, threatened or assaulted nearly 30 times a day

Shop workers in the West Midlands are being abused, threatened or assaulted nearly 30 times a day, according to new figures.

Across 2018, 59% said they were verbally abused, 38% were threatened, and there were 29 cases of assault every day.

The shop worker's trade union 'USDAW' released the statistics from their annual survey.

Across the West Midlands, 29 assaults occur every day which is above the UK average.

The average worker experienced verbal or physical abuse 20 times a year.

West Midlands Police also released CCTV of a shop owner being robbed by a man with an axe in January.

Zia Rafiq, 38, stormed into the Lifestyle Express Store on Wolverhampton Road in Birchills, Walsall on 17 January, demanding money.

Rafiq of Alumwell Road in Walsall was identified from CCTV images and given a seven year sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on 24 April.

The Statistics

• Shopworker's trade union, USDAW, finds the average shop worker in the West Midlands is verbally or physically abused 20 times a year

• In 2018: 59% verbally abused, 38% threatened and 29 assaulted every day - which is above the UK average

• 'Freedom from Fear' Survey highlights vital need for Governmental action to help employers protect workers from unacceptable regular abuse