Poundland has introduced new rules in its 800 UK stores after saying ‘enough is enough’. The Black Country retailer decided ‘something must change’ when the rate of store theft and colleague abuse ‘accelerated significantly’.
It has now launched an Against Retail Crime initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to create a ‘safer’ shopping experience for customers and a ‘secure’ environment for staff. The high street chain was now enhancing its security by introducing anti-theft technology and communication headsets for employees.
Additional security officers were also being hired, CCTV will be invested in, and stores with the biggest issues will have Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras rolled out to provide a visual deterrent for offenders and record incidents as and when they happen.
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BirminghamLive readers have had their say on the new rules, and if they thought it would make a difference. Gemma Arnold responded: “Stores should have more then one security guard on every day as they get outnumbered by groups of shoplifters.”
Carol Walker wrote: “It’s their own fault, all shops are alike – no staff or not enough staff, all self service tills, so temptation is there to steal.” A similar comment from Paul Morries said: “How about they get staff behind the flaming tills. I don’t get paid to do their job of scanning my own items.”
Annette Davies added: “Good luck with that, they don’t care. Police arrest them, and they’re back shoplifting the next week!” Tina Carpenter’s comment read: “I saw a man put about 5/6 bottles of a quite pricey item in his bag. Didn’t go to checkout. I pointed him out to security guard. He stood and watched thief walk away. When I questioned this he said as he hadn’t seen him steal there was nothing he could do. Surely he could ask to check his bag/till receipt? I said I’d not bother reporting again.”
However the name of the shop seemed to be a more pressing matter for others. Kerry Mason said: “Should be called nothing is a Poundland. Most stuff now is £3 plus in there these days B&M, Home Bargains and Savers way cheaper.”
Ken Killarney agreed: “They need to change their name first, most things ain’t even a pound anymore.” Matthew Ames added: “In Ireland it’s called Dealz that makes more sense.”
Alasdair Yates-Milne chipped in: “So Poundland, a while ago announced and advertised quite extensively that some prices would be over a pound. Many such items are multiple number items. Whatever the thoughts about this and the shop’s name it does not justify shop lifting or violence of any kind whatsoever. Theft is theft.”