7 in 10 retail staff experience some form of abuse while at work. The number tripled during the pandemic (to over 1,300 incidents per day according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)). As the cost-of-living crisis continues to drive people to desperation, this figure is expected to rise further. Research conducted by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) revealed that 35% of customer-facing staff believe that customers’ behaviour and tone became more aggressive in the first half of 2022, believed to be driven by price increases.
The survey from the BRC also highlighted that only 4% of incidents resulted in prosecution. Increasingly, companies are looking for ways to protect their staff more efficiently. Our long-term client, Tesco, is taking pro-active measures through the adoption of 1,700 body-worn cameras for staff in high-risk sites.
Gratte Brothers Security Management (GBSM) worked with Tesco to design, install and commission a bespoke solution to their security challenges, in collaboration with a leading manufacturer. This move sees Tesco’s staff benefit from extra protection during the Christmas peak season and beyond. Not only do the body-worn cameras serve as a visible deterrent for potential abusers, but their collection of audio-visual evidence can be used to secure a conviction.
The BRC has noted that alongside the physical risk posed by abusive customers, retail crime costs the industry £1.5billion through customer theft and crime prevention. These body-worn cameras will work to protect the bottom line of businesses big and small, as well as the safety of their frontline staff.
GBSM have vast amounts of experience in designing and installing security software and products for a range of clients across the retail, business and healthcare industries to name a few. Experts like Dan O’Brien and his team are on hand to distil clients’ briefs and design a cost-effective solution that ticks every box. Our teams remain on-hand even after product delivery to support the client and answer any questions they may have.
Head to our Contact Us page and send us a message to see how we can help with your next project.
