Woolworths to roll out body cameras
Woolworths will this week roll out body cameras to all staff in its 191 stores in response to a recent spike in retail crime.
In an announcement yesterday, the supermarket giant said some staff in 17 of its stores had been trialling the devices. They had reported positive results, with de-escalations in conflict and abuse seen from customers.
The retailer said it was also launching other security and safety measures, including push-to-talk radios and trolley lock systems now in 50 stores.
Woolworths said it had seen a 75% increase in physical assaults and 148% increase in serious reportable events over the last three years.
Jason Stockill, Woolworths New Zealand director of stores, said the cameras made staff feel safer at work.
These devices are turned on only in the event of a security incident and the footage will not be released, except when requested by police as part of an investigation.
Staff are required to notify customers before recording.
“Our team deserves to feel safe coming to work every day and what they’re dealing with is unacceptable.
“While 99% of people walking through our door are great and treat our team well, every day our team across the country are still experiencing instances of abuse and aggression from shoplifters and other offenders,” Stockill said.
“Speaking to team members who have trialled using team safety cameras, they’ve told me they feel much safer knowing that they have a tool to record abuse or conflict when it arises – and often turning the camera on actually de-escalates the situation completely, which is fantastic.”
Woolworths said the rollout of team safety cameras came as part of its $45 million investment programme to add more security measures to stores.
The company is also looking at introducing further measures to strengthen security in its stores over the next few months, including secure knife cabinets in its produce, deli, butchery and bakery departments to reduce their visibility and accessibility to potential offenders.
Woolworths is one of New Zealand’s largest employers, with 21,000 staff.