The horror footage has been released ahead of the festive season, with a warning issued by the NSW State Government.
Disgraceful acts of violence against retail and fast food worker around the country are becoming more frequent and more severe – and there’s no shortage of footage to prove it.
Skyrocketing rates of assault against retail employees, particularly in the big supermarkets, has led the NSW government introduce tougher new penalties in anticipation of the chaotic Christmas and boxing day shopping seasons.
The clips reveal a range of incidents in which customers have launched themselves at workers over the last year.
In one incident, a customer can be seen slamming a kids scooter into the head of a Woolworths employee. In another, a customer launches himself behind the counter at another Woolworths location, before cornering and repeatedly beating a member of staff left with no where to run.
Traumatising: Another clip shows a customer come behind the counter and bash a worker into a corner. Picture: Supplied.
In a third clip, a customer pulls out what appears to be a knife and waves it around in a threatening manner toward members of security.
With the festive season and its associated retail chaos just around the corner, the uptick in violence has prompted the state government to toughen penalties against those who assault retail workers.
Under the new penalties, assaulting, intimidating or throwing something at a retail worker will see shoppers a maximum of 4 years in prison.
In the vent that their assault causes grievous bodily harm, that sentence will have a maximum penalty of 11 years behind bars.
Newly released footage also shows a customer threatening to shiv security workers at a Woolworths self-checkout. Picture: Supplied.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who is aggressive or assaults retail workers,” said Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis.
So far this year over 100 people have been charged for offences against retail worker, with 13 culprits expected to spend this Christmas behind bars for doing so.
In a warning sent out to union members, SDA secretary Gerard Dwyer said, “While incidents of customer violence and abuse happen year-round, as the shops and fast food outlets get busier in the festive season it can lead to an increase in abusive and violent behaviour.”
“I remind members to always report any instances of customer abuse and violence – and if your manager does not take it seriously, contact the SDA.”