In response to escalating retail crime, Morrisons joins the movement to equip employees with body cameras, aligning with Tesco’s recent initiative.
- Morrisons is trialling these devices in 25 stores, with a potential nationwide rollout if successful.
- Tesco has also adopted similar measures following increasing assaults on its staff.
- The British Retail Consortium highlights doubled abuse rates against retail workers since pre-Covid times.
- Different retailers are employing varied strategies to combat shoplifting and protect employees.
In response to the rising incidents of retail crime, Morrisons has initiated the use of body cameras for employees in 25 select stores. This move is part of a trial phase, and if deemed successful, Morrisons plans a nationwide implementation. The initiative follows a broader trend initiated by Tesco, which introduced body cameras for all its store workers due to a concerning rise in physical assaults, reportedly exceeding 200 cases per month.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported a doubling in the rate of abuse against retail workers compared to pre-Covid levels. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency for enhanced security measures in retail environments.
Tesco’s decision to equip all staff with body cameras reflects a significant step towards safeguarding its employees amidst increasing threats. However, not all retailers are following suit. Asda’s chairman, Lord Stuart Rose, expressed reservations, opting not to implement body cameras across the board. He voiced concerns about a potential over-surveillance scenario, suggesting a need for caution in exposing staff to such measures.
Other retailers are also adapting their security strategies. Waitrose has introduced an initiative offering free coffees to police officers, hoping this gesture will encourage more frequent law enforcement presence in stores, thereby deterring theft. Similarly, Co-op is trialling anti-theft ‘dummy display packaging’ in response to nearly 1,000 shoplifting incidents reported daily in the first half of this year, marking a 35% increase. These varied approaches highlight the industry’s ongoing challenge to balance employee safety with effective loss prevention.
The growing adaptation of body cameras by major retailers underscores the urgent need for advanced security solutions in the retail sector.
