Llanelli retail staff report high levels of abuse as campaign calls for stronger protections
Retail staff in Llanelli say they continue to face unacceptable levels of verbal abuse, threats and physical assault while doing their jobs — prompting renewed calls for public respect and tougher enforcement.
The Freedom from Fear campaign, led by trade union Usdaw, was marked at Tesco Trostre with a visit from Dame Nia Griffith MP, alongside Lee Waters MS, Cllr Dot Jones and other local representatives. The event aimed to raise awareness of the abuse faced by shop workers and encourage the public to “keep your cool” in the run-up to Christmas.
Survey shows 71% of retail staff verbally abused
Interim results from Usdaw’s 2025 survey — based on responses from over 3,000 retail workers — show that:
- 71% have experienced verbal abuse in the past year
- 48% were threatened by a customer
- 9% were assaulted
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the figures show a “slight downturn” compared to previous years, but warned that the scale of abuse remains “shocking”.
“Nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers,” she said. “Far too many are experiencing threats and violence. Our members are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”
Local voices call for change
Dame Nia Griffith MP said retail workers “deserve to be treated with respect” and backed Usdaw’s call for stronger legal protections.
“We’re introducing a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker,” she said. “That gives shop staff the protection they need and sends a clear message that abuse will not be tolerated.”
She also pointed to Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill, which removes the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifting and introduces new powers to ban repeat offenders.
Campaigners urge public to ‘respect shop workers’
Usdaw activists say incidents tend to rise in December as shops get busier and customer frustration grows. The union is encouraging staff to report abuse and reject the idea that it’s “part of the job”.
The Freedom from Fear campaign continues throughout the year, with workplace and community events planned across South Wales.
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