Value grocer Lidl is to introduce staff body cams across its estate of almost 1,000 stores as the crime wave afflicting retailers shows no sign of declining.
Lidl maintained that the initiative is a “supermarket first”. The roll-out will cost £2m and be completed by next spring.
The cost-of-living crisis has been blamed for a crime epidemic across retail, but companies have also signalled that organised gangs rather than desperate people are behind the growing problem.
Staff throughout the retail industry have suffered from a tidal wave of verbal and physical abuse, flagged by businesses as diverse as John Lewis and Primark.
Lidl GB chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “As a business with over 960 stores across the length and breadth of the country, safety and security has always been an absolute priority for us.
”While our stores are typically safe environments, retail crime is something that is impacting the whole industry. Our investment into ensuring all our stores have body-worn cameras is just one of the ways we’re taking action to protect and provide reassurance to our colleagues and customers.”
Last month, Lidl linked up with other retailers to launch Project Pegasus, a policing partnership created to address the crime explosion.
McDonnell said: “It is essential that the industry comes together to find new and innovative ways to combat serious and organised retail crime. Among our own initiatives, we’re proud to be part of Project Pegasus, which presents a real opportunity for retailers, police forces, and the Home Office to work together to address the alarming rise of incidents facing retail workers every day.”
No comments yet