Tesco has announced it will rollout body worn cameras to over 5,000 delivery drivers in 100 stores by the end of this year, to help them feel safe at work.

The retailer, which delivers 1.45 million online grocery orders a week, is investing in rolling out the technology to 100 stores in response to the escalating levels of threats and violence towards retail delivery drivers in recent years.

The cameras, which have already been rolled out to Tesco store staff, act as a deterrent and have been shown in the retailer’s trials to reduce serious incidents against drivers by 50%. The cameras will only be turned on if a driver feels unsafe.

Tesco decided to proceed with a wider distribution following a successful trial in Hull, which it said “reduced serious incidents significantly”.

Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO said: “Nobody should have to face verbal or physical abuse at work, and the rollout of body worn cameras will help us protect our drivers, deter would-be offenders and reduce the number of serious incidents.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues will always be our first priority and we are making significant investments to make sure we lead the way in tackling retail crime and ensure everyone feels safe whenever they shop with Tesco.”

As part of its efforts to keep staff safe, Tesco has welcomed the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, and particularly the introduction of a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker.

Tesco said it will continue to make the case for online delivery drivers to be included in the scope of the offence, “particularly as they work alone without the protection that comes with being in a store”.

This would bring the law in England and Wales into line with Scotland, where delivery drivers are within the scope of the offence and reported cases have fallen compared to the rest of the UK, with a reduction of 60 per cent of serious incidents and a 37 per cent reduction of verbal abuse.

Prasad added: “No retailer can tackle this issue alone and that’s why we welcome the government’s Crime and Policing Bill and encourage them to go further – sending a message to offenders by extending the standalone offence to cover online delivery drivers.”

Daniel Adams, national officer for the trade union Usdaw, said, “Usdaw regularly engages with Tesco on its ongoing efforts to protect retail workers from the continued threat of abuse and violence.

“Our Customer Delivery Driver Reps have consistently pointed out that this is an issue that extends beyond stores, with drivers being particularly vulnerable.  Therefore, this investment in bodycams is to be welcomed given the clear evidence that they significantly reduce the risks of abuse and violence for those that wear them.”

Tesco said it has invested tens of millions of pounds in safety measures over the last four years, including investing at its highest ever rates in security officers, the recent refurbishment of its Security Hub in Daventry, and in other practical measures including body worn cameras, protective screens and door entry systems.

The company has engaged closely with its delivery driver colleagues and responded to their request for additional technology to help them feel safe while out on deliveries. Plans are in development for a wider rollout to further delivery sites in 2026.

In September, Tesco gave all its UK colleagues free access to a personal safety app that can track their journeys and help them to raise the alarm if they don’t feel safe.

The introduction of the app follows feedback from colleagues who said they sometimes felt unsafe travelling to and from work. It helps address situations such as walking in an unfamiliar area late at night, facing aggression on the night bus or tube after a night out or using a private taxi alone.

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