Tesco, UK
Staff members at Tesco stores across the UK will soon be equipped with body cameras as the supermarket giant grapples with a staggering 33% increase in violent attacks since last year. This move follows alarming findings by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which reported a nearly twofold rise in abuse against retail staff compared to pre-Covid levels. Tesco’s decision to provide body cameras aligns with similar actions taken by Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Co-op, all in response to the escalating violence.
In an op-ed for the Mail on Sunday, Tesco’s Chief Executive, Ken Murphy, called for stricter legislation targeting offenders. While acknowledging recent changes that categorize attacks on shop workers as an aggravating factor in convictions, Murphy advocates for “abuse or violence towards retail workers” to be considered a standalone offense. He pointed to Scotland, where the Protection of Worker’s Bill already designates assaulting, threatening, or abusing retail staff as criminal offenses, as an example to emulate. Additionally, Murphy urged for supermarkets to have the right to remain informed about the progress of cases involving their employees, highlighting the need for greater transparency in addressing this issue.
Mr. Murphy declared, “Crime is a scourge on society, and an insult to shoppers and retail workers. It is time we put an end to it,” emphasizing the heart-wrenching impact of the abuse suffered by Tesco employees.
Policing Minister Chris Philp expressed his support for Tesco’s initiative, stating that police forces should investigate all crimes where CCTV footage is available, even when the stolen goods are valued at less than £200. Philp emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and the need to address this problem at every level.
The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Crime Survey, published in March, revealed a startling rise in incidents, recording over 850 daily cases of violence and abuse in 2021/22 compared to 450 incidents daily in 2019/20 before the pandemic. These incidents encompassed racial and sexual abuse, with profound emotional and physical impacts on retail workers.
The BRC, representing over 200 retailers in the UK, estimated that retail crime cost the industry £1.76 billion in 2021/22. This sum included £953 million in losses due to customer theft and £715 million spent on prevention measures. Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s Chief Executive, lamented that the pandemic had normalized appalling levels of violence and abuse against retail workers.
Co-op, a major food retailer, issued a warning in July that certain communities could become “no-go” areas for the company due to a surge in crime, which had increased by more than a third in the past year. The company cited a Freedom of Information request, revealing that many police forces were not prioritizing retail crime, with 71% of serious retail crime cases receiving no response from law enforcement.
Waitrose, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, attributed the rise in shoplifting to steal-to-order gangs. To combat this issue, both Waitrose and John Lewis stores have equipped their staff with body cameras and provided de-escalation training to handle the escalating number of incidents. Sainsbury’s, on the other hand, has been using body-worn cameras since 2018 as part of its multifaceted approach to enhance customer and colleague safety.
Tesco’s decision to provide body cameras to staff comes in response to a disconcerting surge in violent attacks, echoing concerns raised by the British Retail Consortium. Tesco CEO Ken Murphy’s call for stricter laws targeting offenders aims to protect retail workers and align England and Wales with Scotland’s legislation. As retail crime continues to exact a significant toll on the industry, these measures are a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of those on the frontlines of retail.
As Tesco takes this proactive step to safeguard its employees and customers, the hope is that increased security measures and stronger legislation will help put an end to the rising tide of violence against retail workers in the UK.
