Shop owners in Scotland who have become victims of terrifying assaults have voiced their support for immediate measures to curb the onslaught of retail crimes plaguing the nation.

Earlier today, the Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) demanded that the government enforce an urgent plan in response to the soaring assaults on shopkeepers and the alarming spike in thefts reported in recent months.

The SGF reports that over the course two years, retailers have reported nearly 8,000 instances of abuse or assault. This surge in retail thefts, with some incidents tied to organised crime, has resulted in catastrophic losses running into millions and increasing numbers of staff leaving their jobs due to safety concerns.

Mohammed Rajak, a shopkeeper in Glasgow’s east end who was brutally attacked with a machete, and Ilhan Ahmedov, who was brutally assaulted by goons at his East Lothian shop, shared their personal experiences to highlight the growing dangers being faced by shopkeepers in Scotland.

SGF chief executive, Dr Pete Cheema OBE opined: “I have worked in retail for 35 years. The situation has not improved over the years; in fact, it has only gotten worse. Organised crime has surged because of the tardy police response and slow prosecutions. People are boldly walking out of stores with stolen goods because they realise that they can get away with it.”

The Protection of Workers (Retail) Act came into force in August 2021 after a sustained campaign by the SGF. But the SGF has noted that no public body has confirmed the number of convictions since the Act was implemented.

Dr Cheema regretfully stated: “Enough is enough, it is time for the government to take significant action to check this wave of retail crime which is devastating Scotland. It is not merely the financial loss; people’s lives, livelihoods, physical health and mental wellbeing are being severely impacted.”

In further comments, a representative from the Scottish Government stated: “We acknowledge the extensive harm retail crime inflicts on its victims and their businesses. We encourage citizens to report such incidents to Police Scotland. The Protection of Workers Act is specifically designed to lay charges on those who assault or abuse retail workers”.

Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick from Police Scotland addressed shopkeepers’ concerns and called upon businesses to ramp up their security measures. He stated that the legislation is designed to protect retail workers and encourage a safer working environment.

Mr Rajak who has run a convenience store in Glasgow for 30 years, recalled being attacked by a gang of youths in his early 20s, sustaining a serious machete wound. Now, aged 52, he remarked that thefts have become an hourly occurrence and his staff can endure assaults at least twice each month, costing his business an estimated £200,000 – the equivalent of his pension.

In another gruesome incident, Ilhan Ahmedov, aged 43, was brutally attacked by two men at his Musselburgh shop, leaving him with a broken nose and cheek bone. Fearing for his safety, Mr Ahmedov shut shop soon after and left Scotland.