Waitrose introduces an initiative offering free coffee to police officers to address rising shoplifting incidents.
- The ‘thanks a latte’ scheme aims to deter theft by encouraging police presence in Waitrose and John Lewis stores.
- Assault rates on Waitrose employees have significantly increased, highlighting a growing concern for staff safety.
- John Lewis’s security claims thefts by ‘greedy’ shoplifters, not merely due to economic hardship.
- Rising shoplifting incidents are also observed in Co-op stores, with police often unresponsive.
Waitrose has launched an initiative where police officers are offered free coffee when they visit their stores. This move is part of a broader strategy to combat the increasing incidence of shoplifting amid current economic challenges. Officers can avail themselves of this offer at Waitrose and John Lewis locations upon presenting a reusable cup for their complimentary beverage.
The initiative, dubbed ‘thanks a latte’, is designed not only to provide refreshments to law enforcement but also to foster a visible police presence that may discourage potential shoplifters. Statistics from the British Retail Consortium indicate that assaults on Waitrose employees have approximately doubled since 2020. Furthermore, annual increases of 30% in physical assaults and 20% in anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse have been reported, with 850 incidents of abuse against staff daily.
Nicki Juniper, the head of security at John Lewis, posits that the rise in thefts is not solely due to the cost-of-living crisis but largely driven by organised shoplifters (‘professional shoplifters stealing for greed’). She emphasises that even the mere sight of a police vehicle outside a store can act as a deterrent to theft, underlining the psychological impact of a strengthened security presence.
Lucy Brown, John Lewis Partnership’s director of security, echoed these sentiments to the BBC, noting a visible increase in theft activities within Waitrose. She pointed out that while some offenders are one-time transgressors, a significant proportion are repeat offenders affecting multiple retailers. This trend is not isolated to Waitrose but is similarly reflected in Co-op stores, where shoplifting incidents have reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 1000 cases daily reported in the year’s first half. The situation is compounded by the fact that police response to serious retail crimes was lacking, with action taken in only 29% of cases.
Waitrose’s strategy to involve police in curbing theft demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and security of their staff and customers.
