Poundland is investing in new security measures to tackle retail crime (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Poundland is responding to surging levels of shoplifting and abuse of staff by rolling out new security measures at its stores.
The value retailer’s ‘Against Retail Crime’ initiative is the chain’s largest-ever investment in technology and security to protect workers and stock at its more than 800 outlets nationwide.
A retail trade union welcomed the news in light of ‘shocking’ figures showing that two-thirds of its members suffer abuse.
The move, which Poundland announced on Monday, will involve staff being issued with headsets and those working at stores with the most significant crime issues being given bodycams.
Head of loss prevention Christina Jesty said: ‘The rate of store theft and colleague abuse has accelerated significantly across our stores in the last 18 months, and this has been very challenging for our people.
‘Whether it’s store theft undermining all our colleagues’ hard work, or incidents of violence and abuse making our colleagues feel unsafe at work, something must change.
‘At Poundland we pride ourselves on being a value-led high street retailer, where protecting our colleagues goes hand in hand with protecting our prices.
‘That is why we’re saying enough is enough and beginning a campaign to support our front-line teams and crack down on retail crime across our stores.’
Poundland has been on the frontline of Britain’s shoplifting problem (Picture: Reuters)
A surge in shoplifting is evidenced by figures showing a 30% rise in the 12 months to March 2024 compared with the previous year.
In total, 443.995 offences were recorded in the latest dataset.
The figure is the highest since the Office for National Statistics began keeping records in the current format in 2003.
The measures will also include staff wearing headsets to allow quick communication and swift and safe action during difficult incidents and deploying ‘significantly more’ undercover guards.
The Motorola Solutions VT100 bodycams have already reduced violence against workers by 11% in a successful trial in stores, Poundland said.
A ‘marked reduction’ in theft is also reported to have taken place.
Three hundred stores already have bodycams available, with the technology also being used by security guards.
Alongside this, work with police and local enforcement agencies is taking place to further prevent retail crime, the retailer said.
This will include support from undercover officers and sharing CCTV to support possible prosecutions.
Shoplifting and theft is on the rise nationally with the cost of living crisis and organised crime thought to be factors (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Contracted security teams will be given the backing to detain suspected offenders in stores under the plans, part of the chain’s ongoing effort to tackle theft, as well as the abuse and harassment of its colleagues.
Announcing the move, Poundland said: ‘[We are] working in close collaboration with local enforcement agencies and police forces, including support from undercover officers and sharing CCTV to aid prosecution.
‘It is employing significantly more undercover guards in its stores and intends to send a clear message to thieves targeting its stores – they will be caught, they will be reported and they will be prosecuted. The tougher line is already being taken in partnership with local police forces.’
Retail trade union Usdaw welcomed the news, citing figures showing that 69% of its members have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months and 17% were assaulted.
National officer Bally Auluk said: ‘It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many subjected to threats and violence.
‘Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops and it has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order amid a retail crime epidemic.
‘So, we welcome initiatives taken by employers like Poundland in tackling retail crime and helping to protect staff and we share their view that ‘”enough is enough”.’
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