Horrifying security footage has been released highlighting an escalation of violence towards fast food and retail workers.
The rise of assaults on staff, including at major supermarkets, has prompted the NSW State Government to intervene in the lead-up to the notoriously busy Christmas and Boxing day shopping period.
Footage of one incident shows a person allegedly fly-kicking a worker to the ground, repeatedly punching and kicking them.
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In another incident, a young customer can be seen hurling a metal scooter at a staff member's head.
Several videos of incidents released show female workers being punched.
Footage of another occasion shows a customer pulling a knife on staff after being told to leave the store.
The union for workers in retail, fast food and warehouses says abuse like this has become all too common – especially in the lead up to Christmas.
"There's never any excuse for this kind of behaviour," SDA secretary Bernie Smith said.
"It's just off the scale."
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Of 4600 workers surveyed in the retail and fast food industries, at least 3496 workers experienced regular verbal abuse, and 800 people experienced physical abuse.
"Cost of living's hard or there's items missing or lines are long, but don't you reckon the retail worker at the end of the checkout wishes they had extra people to help them?" Smith said.
As a result, the State Government has introduced tougher penalties for assaults against retail workers.
"We take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who is aggressive or assaults retail workers," Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said.
These penalties can now mean a maximum of 4 years imprisonment for assaulting, intimidating or throwing anything at a retail worker.
If grievous bodily harm is inflicted, a maximum penalty of 11 years jail can be expected.
"We've seen 100 people charged so far, 44 people have been convicted and there's 13 people spending Christmas behind bars this year because they abused or assaulted a retail worker," Bernie Smith said.
Woolworths is among retailers that are now raising awareness of the growing issue, rolling out anti-violence posters in stores from next week.
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