Staff training company StoneHawk has announced it will launch new Challenge 25 training support for Scottish retailers.

The training sessions will teach store owners how to identify and understand the risks of age restricted sales, as well as manage, address and report any abuse.

The scheme was originally designed for Scotmid convenience stores but has since been expanded to include retailers across the whole of Scotland.

Following last week’s Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) Crime Seminar, StoneHawk managing director Simon Wilson said: “Our bespoke face-to-face training course provides staff with the skills they need to significantly reduce the risks during Challenge 25 situations. The shocking figures released by the SGF show that 69% of shop workers in Scotland experienced weekly abuse for refusal of sale.”

StoneHawk is able to provide training onsite or using local training suites. The company is working to minimise the impact of Challenge 25 situations on trading and staff.

Scotmid’s head of profit, protection & security Jim McFedries added: “StoneHawk have worked closely with the convenience store sector to ensure that their face to face training on conflict resolution around the refusal of sale process, is tailored to the needs, not only of the staff, but also the businesses being trained. Due to the excellent skills of the trainer, and the mix of best practices and useful advice, staff will be more confident in their daily routine.”

Last year StoneHawk launched a new training course to help retailers avoid ’smash and grab’ robberies.