Morrisons has introduced a fleet of CCTV vans to address the rising tide of retail crime in the UK.
- The supermarket has collaborated with Crimestoppers, marking over a decade of partnership.
- Abuse against retail workers has nearly doubled compared to pre-Covid levels, highlighting the need for security measures.
- Tesco and Waitrose have also taken steps to protect staff and curb theft, showcasing a broader industry response.
- The initiative underscores the serious impact of retail crime on businesses and their communities.
Morrisons is taking a proactive stance against the increasing threat of retail crime by launching a fleet of CCTV vans. This initiative is part of a long-standing partnership with Crimestoppers, with whom Morrisons has collaborated for more than ten years. The deployment of five vans across the UK aims not only to deter criminal activities but also to identify perpetrators, thereby safeguarding customers.
These CCTV vans prominently display Crimestoppers’ contact information, reinforcing the supermarket’s commitment to community safety and crime prevention. According to Morrisons’ corporate protection manager, Carl Probert, the partnership has strengthened over the years, leading to more significant information exchange and effective action.
The introduction of mobile surveillance is in response to alarming statistics from the British Retail Consortium, which reported that abuse towards retail workers has almost doubled since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This disturbing trend has prompted other retailers such as Tesco to equip their staff with body cameras and Waitrose to offer complimentary beverages to law enforcement officers, hoping to create a visible deterrent to theft.
The strategy of relocating these vans to areas with high incidents of crime represents a flexible approach to security. By capturing criminal activities on camera, Morrisons aims to facilitate the prosecution of offenders, thus protecting its business, employees, and patrons.
This comprehensive approach by Morrisons highlights the broader issue of retail crime and its profound effects on the security of retail environments and neighbourhoods alike.
Morrisons’ deployment of CCTV vans symbolizes a critical step towards mitigating retail crime and enhancing security for all stakeholders involved.
