LIDL will become the first supermarket in the UK to roll out body-worn cameras across all their stores in an attempt to clamp down on shoplifters.
From the end of the month, Lidl stores across the country will receive these new measures that they say will ensure safety and security for both workers and customers.
GettyLidl GB today has over 31,000 employees, over 960 stores and 15 distribution centres in England, Wales and Scotland[/caption]
The rollout of the new body-worn cameras is set to be complete by Spring 2024 and has received an investment of over two million pounds.
Shoplifting in the UK has risen by 25% according to ONS figures and has cost retailers around £950 million according to the BRC, despite £700 million spent on crime prevention by retailers.
Retailers have accused police officers of failing to address what they see as a shoplifting epidemic – at the moment police will not attend calls when the value of the item stolen is less than £200.
The increase in shoplifting figures definitely coincides with the rise in the current cost of living crisis but there is no published data on who is shoplifting or why.
Earlier this year the BBC spoke to a resident in London who earned around a third less than the London Living Wage, he said: “If I was earning enough I’d probably stop [stealing]. At the moment I have to choose between paying for food or being able to go out to see my friends. I shouldn’t have to make that choice.
“I refuse to accept this, I’m stealing food – this should be affordable.”
The BBC said there are many people in similar situations, such as Lola a 23-year-old student from Oxford far from what you imagine someone in organised retail crime would be.
Yet she says: “I’m a student and I can barely afford to eat. It should be everyone’s right to afford a shop a week.
“I’m not defending thieving, but I think stealing £7 here and there doesn’t have a huge impact.”
Last month Lidl became a founding member of Project Pegasus a business and policing partnership with ten of the UK’s biggest retailers including Tesco and John Lewis in an effort to stop shoplifters and organised retail crime.
Project Pegasus works with law enforcement and will use CCTV images of suspected shoplifters and the latest facial recognition technology to combat organised retail crime
Lidl claims that all employees will receive adequate training to make sure the cameras are used in a way that protects an individual’s privacy as well as teaching staff to use the cameras safely.
Ryan McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer, at Lidl GB, said: “As a business with over 960 stores across the length and breadth of the country, safety and security has always been an absolute priority for us.
“While our stores are typically safe environments, retail crime is something that is impacting the whole industry.
“Our investment into ensuring all our stores have body-worn cameras is just one of the ways we’re taking action to protect and provide reassurance to our colleagues and customers.
Ryan added: “It is essential that the industry comes together to find new and innovative ways to combat serious and organised retail crime across the UK.
“Amongst our own initiatives, we’re proud to be part of Project Pegasus, which presents a real opportunity for retailers, police forces, and the Home Office to work together to address the alarming rise of incidents facing retail workers every day.”
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PAWhile other stores have body-worn cameras, Lidl will be the first to ensure they are in all stores as standard[/caption]
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