Stabbing in Dunedin: Supermarkets look at safety measures amid rise in aggressive incidents
Tuesday, 11 May 2021
Supermarkets are looking into extra safety measures as aggressive and threatening behaviour towards front-line staff continues to escalate.
Shoplifters armed with knives and screwdrivers, and people yelling racial and sexist abuse are just some examples of aggressive behaviour supermarket workers are facing on a daily basis, retailers say.
It’s something that has increased more than ever over the past year, Countdown says, and it’s upsetting.
“We’ve seen our people [being] subjected to more aggression, conflict and abuse than we've ever experienced in our business,” a Countdown spokeswoman said.
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“Every day our team hears and experiences racism, sexism, threats and the like.
“Our people show up to look after our customers and serve communities, and the abuse and aggression they face is upsetting.”
The comments come after four people – including two staff members - were seriously injured in a stabbing attack at Countdown on Dunedin’s Cumberland Street on Monday afternoon.
As of Tuesday afternoon, three remained in stable but serious conditions while another remained in a moderate condition in hospital.
The alleged attacker was charged with four counts of attempted murder and remanded in custody.
Foodstuffs, which operates Pak’nSave and New World, said its staff were “horrified” to hear about the stabbing.
“No-one should be exposed to violence or hurt at work,” head of corporate affairs Antoinette Laird said.
“It’s unacceptable, and we have extended our support to our industry colleagues.”
Laird said Foodstuffs had also seen a rise in aggressive situations in its stores.
“We have an absolute accountability to our teams and customers to do what we can to keep them safe, and this incident has bought into sharp focus what we need to be doing in the future to keep everyone safe in our stores.”
Laird said this included exploring technology such as CCTV and facial recognition.
First Union said it had noticed aggression towards retail staff escalating since Covid-19 lockdown and an “extremely urgent” discussion was needed.
Union representative Tali Williams said the problem was with the entire retail sector – but more incidents in supermarkets were reported.
The most common instances of theft were people taking meat and putting it under their tops and jerseys.
When staff members approached people in this situation they were often met with aggression “which is incredibly intimidating,” Williams said.
Senior management were having meetings to talk about solutions, and this would include getting input from staff workers.
Safer staffing levels would have to be addressed, she said.
Retail NZ said many workers faced shoplifters armed with knives or screwdrivers.
The industry representative group’s chief executive, Greg Harford, agreed that aggression had escalated in the past year.
‘’What has happened with the stabbing in Dunedin is shocking,’’ he said.
‘’There is a pattern of violent and anti-social behaviour we are seeing nationwide. Retailers are hugely concerned about this, it's a massive issue throughout the country.
“Retailers are receiving aggression almost every day, and people are brazenly stealing. Everyone has the right to go to work without needing to worry about aggression and violence.” Harford said.