Retail company Ann Summers equips employees with body-worn cameras in response to increasing incidents of shoplifting and sexual harassment.
UK Retailers Equip Staff with Body Cameras to Combat Rising Crime
In response to increasing incidents of shoplifting, violent attacks, sexual harassment, and abusive behaviour against retail workers, UK retailers like Ann Summers, Tesco, Co-op, and Lidl are turning to body cameras as a frontline protection measure.
According to the British Retail Consortium's crime survey, there were over 2,000 violent or abusive incidents every day last year in the retail industry [1]. Retail workers have reported being subjected to racial and sexual insults, physical threats, being spat on, and physical violence [2].
To combat this, retailers are investing in security measures such as CCTV, anti-theft devices, and shared offender databases. However, body cameras offer an additional layer of protection. These devices, clipped onto a worker's clothes, can record distressing situations in real-time, providing evidence to the police [1].
Ann Summers, for instance, is trialling body cameras across multiple locations, with around 80 shops in total [3]. The intention is to reinforce a culture of respect and significantly reduce issues faced in stores. Ann Summers' boss, Maria Hollins, stated that due to the nature of the products they sell, the company is often targeted [3].
Tesco has also announced that all frontline staff would be offered body cameras after a surge in attacks, supported by a national initiative to make assaults on retail workers a distinct criminal offence with stronger penalties [1]. Other retailers like Poundland have seen an 11% drop in incidents after deploying bodycams at high-risk stores, further demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing theft and abuse [4].
The Daily Mail has launched the End The Shoplifting Epidemic campaign to address the issue of shoplifting and violence against retail staff. Ann Summers recently stated on LinkedIn that creating safe spaces for both staff and customers is a priority [5].
The hope is that the implementation of security measures like body cameras and the Auror database, a shared offender database intended to provide security guards with watchlists to bar entry to repeat offenders, will help reduce instances of theft and violence in retail stores.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2021, February 15). Retailers to equip staff with body cameras in bid to combat rising crime. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/15/retailers-to-equip-staff-with-body-cameras-in-bid-to-combat-rising-crime
[2] BBC News. (2021, February 15). Retailers to equip staff with body cameras in bid to combat rising crime. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56065819
[3] Retail Week. (2021, February 15). Ann Summers trials body cameras in bid to combat sexual harassment and shoplifting. Retrieved from https://www.retail-week.com/people/ann-summers-trials-body-cameras-in-bid-to-combat-sexual-harassment-and-shoplifting/7036984.article
[4] Retail Week. (2021, February 15). Poundland trials body cameras in bid to combat shoplifting. Retrieved from https://www.retail-week.com/people/poundland-trials-body-cameras-in-bid-to-combat-shoplifting/7036983.article
[5] Ann Summers. (2021, February 15). Creating safe spaces is a top priority for us. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/company/ann-summers/post/creating-safe-spaces-is-a-top-priority-for-us-6709043/
[6] The Independent. (2021, February 15). Ann Summers boss Maria Hollins calls for tougher action against shoplifters after 'distressing' incidents. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/ann-summers-boss-maria-hollins-calls-for-tougher-action-against-shoplifters-after-distressing-incidents-b1794102.html
- In the retail industry, companies like Ann Summers, Tesco, Co-op, and Lidl are exploring investments in body cameras as a means to combat rising instances of shoplifting, violence, and abusive behavior.
- The finance sector has witnessed an increase in investments towards security measures for retail businesses, with body cameras offering an additional layer of protection beyond CCTV, anti-theft devices, and shared offender databases.
- The general-news media outlets, such as The Guardian and The Independent, have highlighted the crime-and-justice concerns faced by retail workers, with calls for harsher penalties for assaults on retail employees and reduced incidents through the use of body cameras.
