Concerns over a significant rise in shoplifting have prompted major UK retailers to provide their employees with body cameras in an effort to deter theft. Primark, along with supermarket chains Tesco and Sainsbury’s, has taken measures to address the issue by supplying staff with body cameras and bolstering security with additional guards and enhanced CCTV systems.
This response comes as several businesses, including Target, Foot Locker, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, have reported profit challenges due to increased inventory losses resulting from theft. John Lewis, a prominent department store chain, described the rise in shoplifting as reaching ‘epidemic’ levels in the UK.
George Weston, CEO of Primark’s parent company Associated British Foods, emphasised that while the police and Crown Prosecution Service are making efforts to address the worsening problem, more needs to be done.
Sainsbury’s had previously made headlines for introducing added security measures in February 2020 in selected locations as part of a pilot program. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson stated, “The safety of our colleagues and customers continues to be our highest priority.” They added that body cameras are worn by colleagues in every Sainsbury’s store, and other security measures, such as in-store detectives and security doors, are in place to deter criminal activity.
Tesco’s Chief Executive Ken Murphy called for increased cooperation among businesses to share information and collaborate with the police to address the issue. He stressed that the current situation is unsustainable.
The British Ministry of Justice has also proposed a draft code of practice to issue cautions to first-time offenders of ‘low-level’ crimes, including theft and shoplifting, to alleviate the backlog of cases in the criminal courts.
