 Some supermarkets can now sell alcohol round the clock |
Extra security is needed to protect supermarket workers now that new licensing laws have come into effect, retail union Usdaw has said. Usdaw says it is concerned that drunk people who are refused alcohol sales might attack shop staff.
Under licensing law, staff are legally obliged not to serve any customer they believe to be drunk or under 18.
Refusing to sell alcohol was a factor in many of the 20,000 assaults on UK shop staff last year, the union said.
Incidents
Round-the-clock drinking in England and Wales is now a reality after new licensing laws came into force.
More than 1,000 pubs, clubs and supermarkets have been granted 24-hour licences to sell alcohol, according to government figures.
The big three supermarkets - Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's - are reported to have applied for 24-hour licences at a combined total of 435 outlets.
Usdaw said a recent survey of 600 shopworkers found that asking shoppers for proof of age or refusing to sell alcohol to intoxicated persons was a major flashpoint for incidents of verbal abuse, intimidation and assault in stores.
"We are concerned that ready availability of cheap alcohol will attract drunks to stores and we will be monitoring this situation very closely to see if our fears are realised," John Hannett, Usdaw general secretary, said.
"Our primary concern is the safety of our members so we will work closely with supermarkets to make sure that adequate security is in place where stores have a 24-hour licence," he added.
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We are concerned that ready availability of cheap alcohol will attract drunks to stores
