Pret A Manger has taken steps to tackle the alarming rise in retail crime by introducing a trial of body-worn cameras for its staff in selected London locations. The decision to equip team leaders and managers with cameras is a response to the surge in shoplifting and violence targeting retail workers, as UK retailers grapple with post-pandemic security challenges. This move aligns with efforts by other organizations like Lidl and English Heritage, who have also invested in similar measures to address escalating anti-social behavior and criminal activities at their premises.
The decision to deploy body cameras follows a troubling trend highlighted by the Office for National Statistics, which recorded the highest number of shoplifting cases in nearly two decades. The financial implications of this crime wave are significant, with the British Retail Consortium projecting potential losses of billions of pounds in the coming years. In addition to financial losses, the safety and well-being of retail staff have become a growing concern, as incidents of violence and abuse towards them have risen by 50% in the past year, averaging 1,300 cases daily, according to the BRC.
Pret's initiative to introduce body cameras as a preventive measure underscores the broader security and operational challenges faced by retailers in the aftermath of the pandemic. The move also coincides with changes to Pret’s services, such as the discontinuation of their popular coffee subscription service due to increased costs. The chain has responded to customer feedback by reducing prices on some food items, aiming to address criticisms of high prices and adapt to changing consumer needs. While the body camera trial is not directly linked to recent civil unrest on British high streets, it reflects a broader industry concern about employee safety and business protection in an increasingly complex and challenging environment, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also prioritizing the issue of retail crime in his political agenda.