Shocking CCTV footage shows checkout attacks at Woolies

CCTV from inside Australian supermarkets has been revealed, and it comes with a serious warning to shoppers.

Horrifying CCTV footage of brawls at Woolworths check-outs have been released ahead of Christmas in a bid to crackdown on unruly behaviour in supermarkets and shopping centres over the festive period.

In one clip, a woman can be seen throwing groceries at two staff members trying to placate her at the checkout.

CCTV vision of a brawl at a Woolworths store in December 2023. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

In another, a worker can be seen trying to shield their face as a metal scooter is thrown at their head by a teenage boy, who then runs off.

Another confronting scene shows a Woolies employee being ambushed behind the checkout and kicked and punched in the stomach.

The clips are part of an anti-violence campaign to be launched over the Christmas and Boxing Day shopping period which will include “Shop with respect” posters distributed in shopping centres across the country.

New laws make it an offence to assault a retail worker

The retail trade sector is the second largest employment industry in NSW, accounting for nine per cent of the total workforce.

The new laws now mean that it is an offence to assault, throw an object at, stalk, harass, or intimidate a retail worker while they are performing their duties, even if no physical harm is inflicted on the worker.

The maximum penalty for such offences is four years of imprisonment.

Inflicting actual bodily harm on a worker can result in a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment.

In contrast, wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to a retail worker, or being reckless in causing actual bodily harm to the worker or anyone else, could lead to a prison sentence of up to 11 years.

Footage shows a customer verbally abusing a staff member at the self-checkout this year. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

Posters encourage shoppers to keep calm

The poster was created by SafeWork NSW in collaboration with the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) and the Australian Retailers Association, alongside employers and workers.

Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis, a former retail worker, emphasised that staff have the right to feel safe at work.

“As a former retail worker myself, I know how busy the Christmas period is,” Ms Cotsis said. “I want people to take a moment to remember that the people who serve you deserve respect.”

Woolies is cracking down on retail abuse ahead of the festive period. Picture: Supplied

‘Treated with the respect they deserve’

A recent SDA survey involving 4600 retail and fast-food workers revealed that 76 per cent had experienced regular verbal abuse in the past 12 months.

12.5 per cent reported suffering from physical violence, marking a 50 per cent increase compared to a similar survey conducted two years ago.

A Woolworths spokesman stated that while most customers treat staff with respect, “we continue to see incidents of people who verbally or physically harm our team.”

“Christmas is just a couple of weeks away and we know that it can feel a little more stressful at this time of year,” he added.

“Stores will be busy, and our team is excited to help customers get ready to celebrate, all we ask is that they are treated with the respect they deserve.”

Originally published as Shocking CCTV footage shows checkout attacks at Woolies