BODY WORN USE IN RETAIL
How can body worn cameras help to deter violence and intimidation in retail? Axis’ Graham Swallow discusses the use of body worn cameras as part of a holistic approach to deter escalating violence and intimidation in retail. Surveillance cameras, access control mechanisms and network audio systems all play a key role in modern retail. Together, they help create an environment that is safer by virtue of evidence potentially leading to criminal capture and prosecution, and by the presence of such systems serving to deter unacceptable behaviour and criminal acts. However, violence, abuse and antisocial behaviour are still on the increase. Every day over 400 retail staff are attacked, threatened or abused at work. Over 150,000 instances were reported in 2019 and this number has increased, representing a growing concern. According to Co-op, such behaviour has become ‘normalised’ and been allowed to spiral to unprecedented levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail associations are joining forces to lobby government to change the law and make violence against shopworkers a more serious crime
18
with better police powers to address it, which will make a huge difference. However, this won’t be enough on its own as there will always be situations where evidence is disputed. For this reason, more and more retailers are looking for a solution that will help them address criminal behaviour at the point at which it occurs, empowering staff and making them feel more secure. This is where body worn camera technology comes to the fore, capturing evidence from the first-person perspective. Deterring ‘flashpoints’ and improving retail security The global body worn camera market is growing rapidly. Though commonly used by law enforcement and private security companies, body worn is increasingly seeing wider application across a range of industries. Beyond retail, where it is becoming more commonplace, it is making a difference within healthcare,
on public transport and within many public service roles. Body worn cameras combine the latest modern network camera technology in a high-quality, wearable solution that can capture video and audio on the move. This technology has obvious benefits wherever the management of people and protection of property is a key focus. Within a retail store environment, security and operations teams regularly deal with any number of security-related issues, ranging from theft to violence and aggression against staff or other customers. Body worn cameras can help teams capture vital evidence that can aid in the management of ‘flashpoint’ situations; those that are more likely to turn volatile, such as managing complaints, prolonged queuing and customer service areas.
