Pret A Manger Announces New Safety Measure with Body-Worn Cameras for Staff
In response to a rise in shoplifting and aggressive behavior towards staff, coffee shop chain Pret A Manger has announced the implementation of body-worn cameras for select team leaders and managers. The company confirmed that six locations in London have been trialling the new technology since last month.
According to Pret, the cameras will only be used in specific situations and the footage will only be accessible to the company’s security team. This new safety measure comes as retailers across the UK have reported a significant increase in shoplifting and hostile behavior towards employees in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In fact, shoplifting reached record highs last year with 16.7 million incidents reported, more than double the number in 2022. In an effort to combat this trend, retailers have collectively spent approximately £1.8bn on security measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and body-worn cameras. This information was revealed in a survey conducted by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in February.
Other companies, such as Lidl and English Heritage, have also implemented similar measures in response to rising incidents of violence and abuse towards retail workers. According to the BRC, there has been a 50% increase in such incidents, with an estimated 1,300 occurring daily in 2022, up from 870 the year before.
The use of body-worn cameras is just one of the many steps being taken by retailers to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. With the implementation of this new technology, Pret A Manger is sending a clear message that they are committed to protecting their employees and maintaining a safe shopping environment for all.
