Industry looks to build on momentum as violence against shopworkers falls by 20 per cent

Covering the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025, the BRC’s Crime survey showed that there were 43,000 physically violent incidents (118 a day), a fall from 45,000 on the previous year.

Incidents involving weapons also more than halved from 68 to 36 per day.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: “It’s a relief to see early signs of progress.” 

“This drop in violence and abuse has been hard won, but the job is far from done as numbers of incidents remain almost four times pre pandemic levels,” she added. 

Two-thirds of attacks on retail staff are triggered by theft or armed robbery. Photograph: iStock

Improved Police Collaboration

The positive result has been accredited partly to more joined up working. In October 2023, Project Pegasus was set up to improve how police and retailers work together to tackle organised retail crime. 

According to the union Usdaw, which represents shopworkers, two-thirds of attacks on retail staff are triggered by theft or armed robbery.

When police attend incidents involving theft and violence promptly, the BRC says it makes it “far more likely that offenders will be identified and prosecuted, which helps prevent repeat incidents.”

Momentum 

The next challenge is to capitalise on the momentum and turn the positive downturn in incidents “into consistent, long-term change” says the BRC.

“Violence remains endemic,” said Dickinson. “No one should go to work fearing for their safety, and we must redouble our efforts to bring these numbers much further down once and for all.”

The BRC says upcoming new legislation is key with the Crime and Policing Bill making its way through Parliament this Spring.

The Bill will introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker, a “significant step forward” says the BRC.

Joanne Thomas, General Secretary of Usdaw, commented on the drop in violence and abuse as “welcome news” but with more to be done. “Both Usdaw and BRC data shows that retail workers continue to face unacceptable levels of violence and abuse simply as a result of going to work. 

“We have campaigned, along with many retail employers, for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem and we are pleased that the government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill which includes a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law. This bill sends a clear message that the era of criminals acting with impunity is over.”

Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of Retail Trust, said: “We must turn this hard-won progress into long-lasting change.”

“We hear from people every day who are so stressed and anxious that they're afraid to go into work and are thinking of leaving their jobs. While any fall in violence and abuse is welcome, there are clearly still far too many retail workers being shouted at, threatened, and attacked.”  

BRC Crime report 2026 here

Can cameras save our shop workers from attack? A feature on how police are working with retail industry to combat violence here