The shop workers union is calling for greater protection for store staff after new figures show that shoplifting is on the rise.
Although crime in general is falling in England and Wales, shoplifting increased by 6% during 2013. And USDAW general secretary John Hannett says this particular crime too often goes hand in hand with physical attacks.

"In the course of their duties shop workers can be put in real danger, suffering violence, threats and abuse," he says. "So it is always a real concern to our members when incidents of shoplifting are on the increase, because too often that can result in the shop workers being assaulted by the thief.

"Every day over 300 shop workers are assaulted, so there is a real need to address the scourge of violence against workers and I'm concerned that the attackers are getting away with relatively lenient sentences."

He said he was disappointed that the government had failed to support measures that would have provided greater protection for shop workers.

"We will continue to campaign for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out and to give a clear message that assaulting shop workers is totally unacceptable," he added.