Holland & Barrett has reportedly hired plain-clothes detectives to patrol stores in efforts to protect staff and combat rising theft.

The undercover operatives are being deployed to locations identified as being at greater risk of retail crime, with the chain using intelligence from crime-reporting software firm Auror to determine where additional security is needed.

High-value products including Manuka honey, protein powders and other sports nutrition supplements are among the items most frequently targeted by thieves, with the retailer claiming many are stolen to be resold.

Holland & Barrett has also invested in body-worn cameras, CCTV and crime-reporting technology as it looks to deter offenders and improve the safety of its store colleagues.

Chief executive Anthony Houghton said: “The behaviour on the high street, it’s just not acceptable,” adding that it was “awful” the business had been forced to introduce such measures.

Holland & Barrett  previously rolled out Auror across its UK and Ireland store estate, with the platform recording thousands of incidents involving theft, aggression and violence and helping the business identify hundreds of repeat offenders.

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