Poundland is launching a new ‘Against Retail Crime’ campaign this week, in an attempt to tackle rising shop theft, as well as abuse and harassment of its colleagues.
The high street chain is enhancing its security infrastructure, including the introduction of anti-theft technology and communication headsets for its staff across its store estate.
It is also hiring additional security officers, investing in CCTV, and rolling out Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras to stores with the most significant crime issues.
The cameras, which provide a visual deterrent for offenders as well as recording incidents, have driven an 11% decline in violence against Poundland’s colleagues, alongside a marked reduction in shoplifting and theft, since their initial trial.
Under the new campaign, the retailer will also work with local enforcement agencies, providing support from undercover officers and sharing CCTV footage to assist with prosecutions.
It is giving its contracted security teams the backing to detain suspected offenders in stores too, and ensuring local police pursue prosecution for every incident of retail crime.
In a post on LinkedIn, Poundland said: “At Poundland, we’re committed to creating a safer shopping experience for our customers and a secure environment for our colleagues.
“So, we will be launching our ‘Retail Against Crime’ campaign this month—a bold approach to tackling theft and anti-social behaviour in our stores.
“This campaign is a commitment to protect our people and our community by actively challenging crime and creating an environment where theft and anti-social behaviour have no place. Together, we can make shopping in our communities safe and enjoyable, making retail crime a thing of the past.”
It comes after the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that UK shop workers now face 1,300 incidents of violence and abuse every day, up 50% on the previous year.
