Morrisons has followed Tesco’s lead by implementing body cameras for employees in response to escalating retail violence.
- This move comes as retail crime, particularly against workers, has increased dramatically since pre-Covid times.
- Morrisons will trial these devices across 25 stores, with potential for a nationwide rollout if successful.
- Tesco has already issued these cameras to all staff, noting over 200 incidents of physical assault monthly.
- Other retailers like Asda and Waitrose have adopted varied strategies in response to heightened security concerns.
In an effort to combat the rising incidence of retail crime, Morrisons has started a trial period of deploying body cameras to employees in 25 select stores. This initiative is aimed at addressing the escalating violence against retail workers, which has become a concerning trend across the industry.
The decision to trial body cameras aligns with a similar step taken by Tesco, which has already distributed these devices to its entire workforce. Tesco’s move was prompted by a significant rise in the number of assaults on its staff, with reports indicating over 200 assaults monthly. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the retail sector.
If Morrisons’ trial proves successful, it intends to expand this security measure nationwide. This approach mirrors its existing safety protocols, which include the use of body cameras and high-visibility vests for security personnel. The trial is part of Morrisons’ broader strategy to safeguard its employees by leveraging technology to deter and document incidents of crime.
While Morrisons and Tesco have embraced this technology, other retailers have chosen different paths. Asda, for instance, has opted not to implement body cameras across its stores. According to Lord Stuart Rose, chairman of Asda, the focus is instead on balancing the privacy of customers and staff with safety needs, expressing concerns about the potential over-surveillance of everyday actions.
In contrast, Waitrose has employed alternative strategies, such as offering complimentary coffees to police officers to encourage law enforcement presence in their stores. This initiative, dubbed ‘thanks a latte’, is designed as a community-focused deterrent to theft and other crimes.
The Co-op has reported unprecedented levels of theft, averaging nearly 1,000 shoplifting incidents daily, a 35% increase this year. In response, it has extended its use of anti-theft measures, including ‘dummy display packaging’, to protect targeted products from shoplifting.
Morrisons’ trial of body cameras is part of a sector-wide response to rising retail crime, reflecting a diverse range of strategies among major retailers.
