Wetherspoons introduce bodycams for staff after shocking rise in physical and sexual assaults
PUB giant Wetherspoons has introduced bodycams for staff after a shocking rise in violence at the chain’s 900 boozers. It is taking a “zero tolerance” stance to reduce physical and verbal attacks on workers. Male and female employees are also said to have been sexually fondled by punters. Posters in its pubs across the country […]
PUB giant Wetherspoons has introduced bodycams for staff after a shocking rise in violence at the chain’s 900 boozers.
It is taking a “zero tolerance” stance to reduce physical and verbal attacks on workers.
Male and female employees are also said to have been sexually fondled by punters.
Posters in its pubs across the country warn rowdy customers that staff now wear “body cameras to record video and audio”.
The chain says it is working with police to “prosecute those who are abusive to employees”.
The move follows research in Kent showing cops were called almost 20 times a month following reports of trouble.
Staff at its Robert Pocock pub in Gravesend this month limited the number of drinks parents with children are allowed in a clampdown on “unruly behaviour”.
STAFF SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
Last February, footage of a mass brawl outside the William Dampier pub in Yeovil, Somerset — where drinkers clashed with bouncers — was viewed more a million times on Facebook.
And last April, a whistle-blower revealed staff in Plymouth have had bottles thrown at them and were even sexually assaulted.
Jack Sloane, a bar supervisor for a year at the city’s Union Rooms, said: “The customers are not bad people but we are under-staffed and the stress and pressure is too much.
“People could be waiting 20 minutes for a drink. We had death threats. I have been called a c*** for not giving them their meal quickly enough.
“Bottles have been thrown at us and we’ve been stalked on social media for not serving someone quick enough.
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“Men and women have groped me. A 17-year-old male member of staff was touched by a middle-aged woman. People get drunk and act inappropriately.”
He added some staff had mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts.
Wetherspoons said it must stop crime and disorder under licence laws.
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