RETAIL CRIME
BODY CAMERAS ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR, SLR
RETAIL CRIME IN FOCUS AT CO-OP
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IN THE LATEST MOVE TO COMBAT RISING RETAIL CRIME, THE CO-OP IS ROLLING OUT BODY-WORN CAMERAS TO STAFF, REPORTS ANTONY BEGLEY.
ne of the more unsavoury side-effects of the already unsavoury coronavirus pandemic has been a sharp rise in retail crime. It’s a tough one to swallow for retailers who have bent over backwards to support communities across the UK for the last few months – but it’s undeniable that retail crime has become more of a challenge than ever since lockdown began. The latest dispiriting evidence of how much of a problem this is becoming is the roll out of body-worn cameras by the Co-op. The group announced last week that it is equipping front-line staff with body cameras to help keep them safer in the face of rising aggression against convenience store staff, marking something of a new low in the sector when retailers are required to go to such extremes simply to protect key workers doing their job and supporting their communities. The retailer warns of a “crime and violence epidemic“ and says its targeted deployment of body cameras forms part of an ongoing commitment to invest a further £70m over the next three years in innovative technology to protect colleagues. These solutions include SmartWater Fog Cannons, the latest remote monitored iCCTV, body cameras and communication headsets for all frontline colleagues.
“The Co-op has seen store crime increase by more than 140% yearon-year, despite communities recognising the critical role played by key retail workers in society.” 14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 15 / WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY 2020
The new cameras will be used in around 250 stores initially, with the ability to activate real-time audio and visual with a single button push which is remotely monitored by the Security Operations Centre of Co-op security partner Mitie. Footage will then be used to identify criminals and provide evidence to secure prosecution. The Co-op says it has seen store crime increase by more than 140% year-on-year, despite communities recognising the critical role played by key retail workers in society. The numbers of violent incidents also hit record levels with 1,350 attacks having been experienced by Co-op shop workers in the first six months of 2020. As part of its Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign, Co-op is also building awareness and support for MP Alex Norris’ ‘Assault on Shop Workers Bill’ which has now seen its second reading in Parliament postponed until September – the Bill states that because shop workers have responsibilities to uphold the law on age restricted products they should be afforded greater protection in carrying out those public duties.
