Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Co-op will equip front-line staff with more than 1,000 Motorola Solutions VT100 body-worn cameras in around 250 stores initially, with the ability to stream video in real-time to the Security Operations Centre of Co-op security partner Mitie. The footage is used to identify criminals and provide evidence to secure prosecution.
The cameras can be worn in standby mode for up to six months, preserving battery for instances when Co-op store colleagues feel threatened by aggressive or violent behaviour. The cameras are operated by a simple one-push activation, instantly recording footage to the camera itself, and streaming live video to the security operations centre, allowing for a quick response from security personnel or police.
The cameras are supported by cloud-hosted VideoManager software, which enables secure and efficient camera allocation, user administration, and incident management.
The Co-op has seen store crime increase by more than 140% year-on-year, despite communities recognising the critical role played by key retail workers in society. The numbers of violent incidents also hit record levels with 1,350 attacks having been experienced by Co-op shop workers in the first six months of 2020.
Cheryl Houghton, Co-op retail security manager, said: “Shopworkers play an essential role serving communities, yet they have to contend with unprecedented levels of violence and abuse on a daily basis. As a community retailer we see the impact of social issues in our stores. I have never seen such high levels of violence and abuse, it’s a societal issue that all retailers are concerned about and it’s having lasting effects on the lives of shopworkers – both mentally and physically. It is not part of the job to be verbally abused, threatened or attacked and we’re determined to make sure it isn’t.”
Richie McBride, director of business operations, video and analytics at Motorola Solutions UK, added: “Body-worn video is becoming a critical element in commercial organisations’ strategy to keep their employees safe. As a company focused on mission-critical solutions, we provide our commercial customers with the right tools to help them enhance their operational efficiency, responsiveness, and safety.”
Co-op has committed a further £70m over the next three years in innovative technology to keep employees safer, such as SmartWater Fog Cannons, the latest remote monitored iCCTV, body cameras and, communication headsets for all frontline colleagues.
The retailer is also building awareness and support for Alex Norris MP’s’ Assault on Shop Workers Bill which has now seen its second reading in Parliament postponed until September. The bill states that because shop workers have responsibilities to uphold the law on age-restricted products they should be afforded greater protection in carrying out those public duties.
