Tesco is introducing body cameras for its employees to combat increasing workplace violence.
- Physical assaults on Tesco staff have surged to over 200 incidents per month, prompting this measure.
- CEO Ken Murphy is advocating for tougher laws and improved policing to address retail crime.
- Murphy suggests the UK adopt Scotland’s system where abuse against retail workers is a specific offence.
- Tesco has invested £44m in security enhancements over four years to protect staff and deter crime.
In response to a growing number of violent incidents, Tesco is equipping its store workers with body cameras. This decision arises from a worrying increase in physical assaults, now exceeding 200 each month. The safety of retail employees has become a pressing concern, prompting the need for immediate action.
Ken Murphy, Tesco’s CEO, expressed his concerns to The Mail on Sunday, describing crime as “a scourge on society, and an insult to shoppers and retail workers.” Murphy is calling for urgent reforms in legislation and policing practices to better protect retail employees from such threats.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) supports this initiative, highlighting that abuse against retail workers has nearly doubled compared to pre-Covid levels. Murphy advocates for the adoption of a system similar to Scotland’s, where abuse or violence against shop workers is classified as a specific offence, which could offer enhanced legal protection for employees.
In addition to introducing body cameras, Tesco has invested £44 million in security measures over the past four years. These enhancements include door access systems, protection screens, and digital radios. Such measures are part of a broader strategy to deter crime and enhance the safety of staff and shoppers alike.
Murphy also stresses the importance of improved communication between police forces and businesses. He argues that better information sharing could prevent crime from occurring in the first place, stating that “gangs take advantage of the fact that we do not share enough information.”
Tesco’s comprehensive strategy aims to enhance the safety and protection of its staff amidst rising violence.
