St David’s Cardiff launches Retail Trust abuse protection 2026

Key Points

• St David’s Cardiff has entered into an agreement with the Retail Trust to offer free training to retail employees who have been subjected to abuse and violence.
• The scheme forms part of Landsec’s extended roll out of the Retail Trust’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign in 13 UK retail destinations.
• The staff will receive training in resilience and de-escalation and access online resources through the Landsec Protect app relating to anti-social behavior and filming without consent.
• According to the British Retail Consortium 2026 Crime Report, there are more than 1,600 instances of violence and abuse targeting retail workers per day and there are 43,000 physical attacks on them each year.
• It is a criminal offense to assault a retail worker under the Crime and Policing Act in England and Wales.
• Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, and Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, made statements backing the campaign.
• Campaign materials will be displayed to shoppers at St David’s and other Landsec centers until the end of 2026.

St David (Wales Times) September 18, 2026 — uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff has launched a new support programme in partnership with the Retail Trust to protect retail workers from rising levels of abuse and violence, offering free training and resources to help colleagues manage difficult interactions. The announcement marks the expansion of Landsec’s collaboration with the charity following a successful pilot in 2025, extending practical support to staff across 13 shopping destinations nationwide.

What support is being introduced for retail workers at St David’s Cardiff?

St David’s Cardiff has introduced a suite of measures through the Retail Trust’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign, including free resilience and de-escalation training for retail staff, cleaners, security personnel and guest services teams. Everyone working at a Landsec shopping destination will also receive access to new online tools on the Landsec Protect app, designed to help them stay safe, respond to difficult situations and recover afterwards. These tools include advice on responding to antisocial behaviour, being filmed without consent, and being targeted after a shift.

As reported by Wales247, the support was piloted at four major Landsec destinations in 2025 and is now being rolled out to a further 13 locations, including St David’s, ensuring staff from Glasgow to Cardiff can access the same resources. Staff at the original four pilot locations will continue to receive training and resources.

Why has Landsec expanded the Retail Trust partnership?

Landsec, the owner and operator of St David’s Cardiff, has expanded its partnership with the Retail Trust in response to escalating levels of abuse and violence faced by retail workers. According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2026 Crime Report, retail workers experience more than 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every day, with 43,000 physically violent incidents occurring each year. The newly introduced Crime and Policing Act has made assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales, further highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, said: “The people who’ve taken part in our training tell us that thoughtless, unkind and aggressive behaviour can stay with them long after their shift has ended and that they increasingly worry about situations like filming by shoppers or being targeted outside of work.” He added: “We’re working with Landsec to give thousands of staff working at its shopping destinations more support while reminding millions of shoppers to treat everyone with respect.”

How will the Let’s Respect Retail campaign operate at St David’s?

The Let’s Respect Retail campaign will be visible to guests at St David’s and Landsec’s other shopping centres throughout the remainder of 2026, reminding millions of visitors that every act of kindness counts. The campaign aims to foster a culture of respect and courtesy towards frontline retail staff, while providing workers with practical resources to prevent, manage and recover from incidents of abuse and intimidation.

Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, said: “Every day, our retail colleagues play an essential role in bringing St David’s to life. It’s important that they feel supported, valued, and confident that their wellbeing and safety are a priority.” She continued: “Working with the Retail Trust and the Let’s Respect Retail campaign gives our teams access to meaningful, practical support while also helping us build a culture where looking out for one another is part of everyday life.”

What training and resources will retail staff receive?

Retail staff at St David’s Cardiff will participate in free resilience and de-escalation training delivered through the Retail Trust’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign. The training is designed to equip workers with the skills and confidence to manage challenging interactions and recover quickly after difficult moments on the shop floor. In addition, staff will gain access to new online tools via the Landsec Protect app, offering guidance on issues such as antisocial behaviour and being filmed without consent.

A security guard who took part in the training earlier this year said:

“When you’re dealing with antisocial behaviour or difficult customers, it can stay with you even after your shift has finished and you can feel anxious about coming back into work the next day.”

They added: “The training was really useful because it showed that people across different roles are dealing with many of the same challenges, and that there is support available from the Retail Trust.” The guard noted:

“This is going to become even more important coming up to Christmas, when there are going to be more shoppers, more pressure and more temporary staff who may not have dealt with these situations before.”

What do retail crime statistics reveal about worker safety?

The British Retail Consortium’s 2026 Crime Report indicates that retail workers face more than 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse daily, amounting to 43,000 physically violent incidents per year. These figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing the sector and the need for comprehensive support measures. The introduction of the Crime and Policing Act, which makes assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence, reflects growing recognition of the issue at a legislative level.

Other recent reporting has highlighted similar concerns, with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) noting that employees have been assaulted, threatened with knives, spat at and had objects thrown at them. A recent report from the Retail Trust found that 45% of all retail workers are considering moving roles because of the abuse and violence they face in stores.

What statements have been issued by St David’s and the Retail Trust?

Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, stated:

“By investing in the people who make our centre what it is, we can create a positive environment for our teams, our brand partners, and our guests alike.”

Her comments emphasise the centre’s commitment to colleague wellbeing and safety as a priority.

Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, said: “We all have a role to play in creating more respectful and kinder shopping environments and our charity’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign will remind us all that even something as simple as a greeting or a smile can make a huge difference to people who are facing daily hostility at work.” His remarks highlight the campaign’s focus on encouraging public courtesy alongside practical support for workers.

Background to the retail worker abuse protection initiative

The partnership between Landsec and the Retail Trust builds on a pilot programme launched in 2025, which provided free resilience and de-escalation training at four major shopping destinations. The success of the pilot prompted Landsec to expand the initiative to 13 additional locations across the UK, including St David’s Cardiff, ensuring that retail staff, cleaners, security and guest services teams from Glasgow to Cardiff can access the same support. The expansion coincides with heightened public and legislative attention on retail worker safety, following the introduction of the Crime and Policing Act and the publication of the British Retail Consortium’s 2026 Crime Report. The Let’s Respect Retail campaign, run by the Retail Trust, has also gained support from major retailers such as Marks & Spencer, which became the first major UK grocer to publicly back the initiative in August 2026.

Prediction: How might this development affect retail workers and shoppers in Cardiff?

The introduction of comprehensive training and support for retail workers at St David’s Cardiff is likely to improve staff confidence in managing difficult interactions and reduce the long-term psychological impact of abuse incidents. Access to de-escalation techniques and post-incident resources may help workers feel more prepared and supported, potentially lowering turnover rates among staff who might otherwise consider leaving the sector due to safety concerns. For shoppers, the visibility of Let’s Respect Retail materials throughout the centre may encourage more courteous behaviour and greater awareness of the challenges faced by frontline staff. Over time, these measures could contribute to a safer and more respectful shopping environment in Cardiff, aligning with broader national efforts to protect retail workers under the Crime and Policing Act.