Hastings shop owner ‘threatened with knife and verbally abused’ at work

Pratibha Paleja has been threatened with a knife and verbally abused over the past 32 years while she has owned the Smokemart (Cadburys) newsagents, in Station Road, Hastings.

She features in the campaign #KeepingChristmasKind, created by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, which documents the abuse faced by shop staff.

In the video, Mrs Paleja’s daughter Mita describes her mother – who is now also a full-time carer of her husband after he was recently diagnosed with dementia – as a superwoman who still manages to run the family business despite the abuse she has faced, particularly during the pandemic.

Mita said: “My mum is just trying to do her job. She has been threatened with a knife, verbally abused, and pushed. She fractured her wrist as a result of that. I’m worried about her safety.

“Please consider to be kind this Christmas, there is a family behind every business.”

The campaign video also hears from two other shop workers who document their own experiences of facing abuse at work.

With the uncertainty surrounding family gatherings at Christmas after the current lockdown ends, Hastings business leaders are bracing for a huge last-minute shopping spree which could see a rise in tensions.

Hastings BusinessWatch, a nonprofit organisation which aims to deter repeat offenders from the area, said there is a real concern that those working on the ‘festive frontline’ could bear the brunt of some shoppers’ frustrations about wearing masks and distancing measures, leading to more abuse and assaults.

Hastings BusinessWatch and Love Hastings said they are supporting the ‘Keeping Christmas Kind’ campaign, and said ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to abuse of shop staff.

Town manager John Bownas said: “There are always a small number of potentially violent individuals who use threats and harassment to intimidate shop staff, and we are constantly doing everything we can to protect our members through close working with each other and the police.

“However, this campaign is particularly important right now, as the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in mean that it’s important everyone keeps a level head and respects the huge efforts these workers and business owners make on our behalf.

“According to retail trade union Usdaw, every minute of the working day during the pandemic a shopworker nationally has been verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked – and unfortunately, Hastings sees its fair share of this unacceptable and unwarranted behaviour.

“By sharing this campaign locally, Love Hastings and Businesswatch are helping to raise awareness of the abuse shop workers have faced and encouraging others to show some kindness towards those on the festive frontline this Christmas.”

Hastings shops will be sharing the Keeping Christmas Kind campaign messages from December 1 to 8 on their social media channels using the hashtag #KeepingChristmasKind.