Ann Summers has joined a growing list of retailers rolling out body-worn cameras in stores as concerns mount over shoplifting and abusive behaviour towards retail workers.
The lingerie and sex toy retailer is partnering with Reveal Media to trial the technology across several of its UK stores.
In a Linkedin post shared today (31 July), the business said: “The personal safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is absolutely essential, so creating safe spaces for both them and our customers is a priority.”
It hopes the cameras will reinforce “a culture of respect” and “significantly reduce the issues faced in store”, allowing staff to feel “safe and supported”.
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Ann Summers follows similar steps from major retailers including H&M, Tesco, Co-op and Lidl, all of which have equipped store staff with bodycams in response to rising incidents of theft and violence.
The British Retail Consortium revealed that shoplifting rose 20% last year, with violent incidents against staff hitting 2,000 per day. Despite industry-wide security spend of £1.8bn, crime levels remain high.
Retailers are also turning to anti-theft tags on everyday items, offender image databases, and increased police collaboration to tackle the crisis.
Labour has pledged to make assaults on retail staff a standalone offence, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently announced plans to put more police officers on the high street to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour.
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