Three workers at finances grocery store chain Iceland have examined optimistic for HIV after they had been attacked with contaminated needles by shoplifters.

Richard Walker, who's the CEO of the frozen meals specialists, instructed MailOnline that violent incidents associated to shoplifting are a major problem in his shops.

It comes as increasingly more British retail leaders have raised considerations in regards to the rising charges of excessive avenue theft.

Mr Walker instructed MailOnline: “Every single week I receive an average of 12 reports of ‘serious incidents’ where managers and other colleagues have been attacked in our stores, almost always by shoplifters.

“Colleagues are being slapped, punched and threatened with a range of weapons including knives, hammers, firearms and hypodermic needles.”

He added: “Three of our store colleagues are now HIV-positive as a result of needle attacks several years ago.

He said there had been other assaults resulting in a fractured skull and broken bones.

Mr Walker’s claims shine a light on the increasingly violent episodes supermarket staff are forced to confront up and down the country.

According to the British Retail Consortium, incidents of violence and abuse against staff have almost doubled from more than 450 per day in 2019/2020 to more than 850 last in 2022.

The 43-year-old claimed his chain is losing out on £20 million each year due to shoplifters stealing items from Iceland stores and has demanded stronger powers to crackdown on theft.

The retail boss, who was educated at Durham University, said security guards should be granted powers to search suspected shoplifters.

At present they can only do so with the consent of the shopper.

He added that data protection laws prevents his employees from sharing pictures of thieves with other stores or from posting their faces on notice boards.

He explained: “We've had a run in in the past with the Information Commissioner's Office because sharing photos of known shoplifters with other stores on the high street via WhatsApp groups apparently breaches their human rights under GDPR.

“When I started working in stores I used to print of faces on the board so staff could be aware but even that may not be allowed now. We are investing record amounts on security but we need legislation and government support.”

Speaking solely to MailOnline, it was famous safety guards haven't any extra proper to go looking folks than most of the people.

Mr Walker warned that criminals know their rights when they're challenged by guards in shops.