Retailers Against Crime and the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) have teamed up to raise awareness of the growing impact of crime on retailers in Scotland, and across the UK, by revamping the ‘Don’t Put Up With It!’ campaign.
The campaign seeks to provide information and guidance for retailers about the support available through the Protection of Workers (Retail) Act 2021 and charitable organisations such as GroceryAid, while also raising public awareness of the impact of crime on local businesses and shop staff.
Siobhian Brown, the Scottish minister for victims and community safety, welcomed the renewal of the campaign, which was originally set up in a joint effort by SGF, the Scottish government, Crime Stoppers/Fearless and Police Scotland.
Siobhian Brown
“I fully support the Don’t Put Up with It! campaign, which calls for everyone to respect retailers and encourages shop workers to report all incidents of retail crime to Police Scotland. Retail workers provide an invaluable service to all of us and any kind of abuse or violence is completely unacceptable,” Brown said.
“The Protection of Workers Act gives specific protection to shop workers by making it an offence to threaten or abuse them, as well as providing further legal protections when the worker is carrying out statutory duties such as age verification.”
The protection of workers legislation, introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP and backed by the Scottish government, came into force in August 2021. Figures available as a result of the Act highlight the increase in volume of abuse and threatening behaviour that many retailers are forced to put up with, with 10,295 cases reported to Police Scotland (including 4,624 assaults) up to the end of January 2024.
“The unfortunate truth is that it’s more than just shop windows that are being shattered, it’s people’s lives and livelihoods. In some cases, the trauma can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of the individual, their family, and their community,” Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive, said.
“We need to see much more being done to tackle the increase in retail crime and anti-social behaviour of the past few years. The Don't Put Up With It! campaign has an important role to play in both raising awareness about the issue and providing much needed support for retailers.”
Commenting, RAC managing director Maxine Fraser said: “People should not have to go to work in their local community and experience threatening and abusive behaviour on a regular basis, often escalating to violence. It’s simply not acceptable.
“We have a simple message to everyone who is faced with the terrible impact of retail crime on their business and staff, Don't Put Up With It! Report it!”
Details about the campaign, along with advice and support for retailers and downloadable campaign posters are all available on the campaign website.
