Shoppers warned as almost 100 charged for retail assaults

Shocking images of brawls at Woolworths check-outs have been released as retailers and the Minns government join forces to call for calm over the Christmas and Boxing Day shopping period.

Almost 100 people have been charged with offences against retail workers as authorities crackdown on unruly behaviour in shopping centres and supermarkets.

The charges occurred from June last year when the Minns government toughened laws protecting shop staff in ­response to a rise in violence.

Of those charged, 44 were convicted and 13 jailed.

The figures have been released, together with shocking images of brawls at Woolworths checkouts, as part of an anti-violence campaign to be rolled out over the Christmas and Boxing Day shopping ­period.

“Shop with respect” posters are being distributed to shopping centres statewide to ­remind people to keep calm.

CCTV vision of a brawl at a Woolworth store in December 2023. Picture: Supplied

The retail trade sector is the second highest employment industry in NSW, representing 9 per cent of the total workforce. The new laws make it an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment.

Causing actual bodily harm to the worker attracts a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment, while wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to a retail worker or being reckless as to causing ­actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, could land a perpetrator 11 years in prison.

CCTV vision of an abusive customer at a Woolworths this year. Picture: Supplied

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

Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis, who was a former retail worker at Silhouette Budget Fashions in Hurstville and also at Sydney Airport, said staff had a right to feel safe at work.

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

A recent SDA survey of 4600 retail and fast-food workers found 76 per cent had ­experienced regular verbal abuse over the past 12 months while 12.5 per cent had suffered physical violence – a 50 per cent jump from a similar survey two years ago.

“Enough is enough, this must change,” SDA NSW ­secretary Bernie Smith said.

“There are now serious consequences for offenders who abuse retail workers including increased jail time.

“Don’t ruin our members’ Christmas with bad behaviour in shops – don’t ruin your life with a bad decision.”

A Woolworths spokesman said while the majority of customers treated 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 said.

“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.”

Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]