// Co-op provides handheld sprays for its security guards to help them mark suspected criminals
// In the “most extreme circumstances” violent offenders will be sprayed
// The primary use of SmartTag SmartWater is as a deterrent, with trials shown to defuse potentially violent cases
Co-op has armed its security guards with handheld sprays to mark suspected criminals with difficult-to-remove invisible paint that shows up under UV light.
In the “most extreme circumstances” violent offenders will be sprayed, providing evidence for police to later act upon.
The primary use of SmartTag SmartWater is as a deterrent, with trials of the tool shown to calm potentially violent incidents.
READ MORE: 2000 Co-op staff affected by store management overhaul
The SmartWater will be used by Co-op’s Mitie-employed security officers in around 400 stores.
The rollout follows a pilot with Mitie security guards working with South Yorkshire Police.
Last year, Co-op said it witnessed a “crime and violence epidemic” with crime at its stores increasing by more than 140 per cent year on year. It recorded 1350 attacks on its shop workers in the first six months of 2020.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our colleagues who work tirelessly to serve communities,” Co-op head of retail loss and security Andrew Needham said.
“No one should have to face violence just for doing their job, and we are doing everything we can to protect them.
“As a community retailer we see the impact of social issues in our stores, and alongside the latest technology the root causes of crime in communities must also be addressed – that is why we are calling for government to introduce greater protection for shopworkers with stiffer penalties and sentencing for those convicted to send out a clear message that violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour is not acceptable.”
This year will also see Co-op more than double the number of stores where colleagues wear body-worn cameras.
Over 550 stores are expected to use the technology, which can send real-time audio and visual footage to Mitie’s security operation centre at the push of a button.
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