Managers and staff in four out of every 10 shops in the Netherlands experience aggression and violence, according to a survey commissioned by Dutch retailers association Detailhandel Nederland which was published on Saturday.

‘The results of the survey are shocking. With so many shop staff confronted with aggression, it is becoming a social problem,’ said Bert van Steeg, who is in charge of shop criminality at the organisation.

The survey showed the main reasons for aggression against shop staff were complaints by unhappy customers (36%), the way shoplifting is handled (34%) and the unavailability of a product (23%).

Van Steeg said baby milk is an example of a product that often leads to problems because of limits to the amount shoppers can buy at any one time. Age checks are also regularly named as a reason for aggressive behaviour, he said.

One of every 12 shopkeepers experienced situations where customers have commented on irritating situations in the shop on social media. ‘This is a disturbing trend. Increasingly we are learning that the social media is the cause of aggression and insecurity,’ Van Steeg said.