RETAIL workers have been urged to report instances of abuse to police following a listening event.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw and community retailer the Co-op hosted an event with representatives of the police from across Wales, where retail staff described some of the incidents they have experienced while at work.

According to Usdaw one of the respondents was a supermarket worker in Mold, who talked about age identification always being a major flashpoint - stating it has been "much worse during the pandemic".

A supermarket worker from Broughton also said she thinks the situation is "now so bad, she would not want her sons to work in retail."

Many other retail workers from across Wales gave their views, including a convenience store worker from Cardiff who said "what was daily abuse has now become hourly" and another who described the environment as more like ‘riot control’ than a retail job - with many talking about how coughing, spitting and threatening coronavirus infection is a new weapon being used against them.

Nick Ireland, Usdaw Divisional Officer, said: “It was deeply disturbing to hear the real life experiences of shopworkers at the online listening event, as part of Respect for Shopworkers Week.

"They really highlight the key message that abuse is not part of the job.

"Usdaw’s latest survey shows that 75 per cent of retail staff have seen an increase in abuse during the coronavirus crisis.

"Behind that shocking statistic are thousands of working people, who deserve better than verbal abuse, threats and violence and we heard that very clearly.

“Usdaw and the Co-op organised this event to help engage with police and we were pleased to have representatives from across Wales at the meeting.

"We are asking the public to support retail staff by signing our petition to get the issue debated in the House of Commons.

"Retail staff are key workers delivering the essential service of keeping our communities fed. They deserve to be valued, respected and have the protection of the law.”

Tina Mitchell, divisional managing director at the Co-op, said: “Shopworkers play an essential role serving communities, yet they have to contend with unprecedented levels of violence and abuse on a daily basis.

"As a community retailer we see the impact of social issues in our stores, it affects all retailers and it’s having a lasting impact on the lives of shop workers - both mentally and physically.

"It should not be part of the job to be verbally abused, threatened or attacked and we’re determined to make sure it isn’t.

"Everybody understands how challenging 2020 has been but our message remains clear – enough is enough.

"Abuse and violence against shopworkers should not be tolerated in today’s society and we will do everything in our power to ensure the Government puts greater legal protection in place so our colleagues can feel safer when they go into work.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: "It is totally unacceptable - they have a tough job to do. "If they are being threatened they need to report it to the police and we will take the relevant action."