Retail Crime on the Rise

In February 2024, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), a leading trade association for retail businesses, released its latest crime survey findings. Covering the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023, the survey highlights the growing prevalence of crime against retail workers in England and Wales.

The BRC survey, recognized as the “single largest and most reliable barometer of crime in retail,” is based on data from retailers representing over 1.1 million employees and nearly £200 billion in market turnover. It revealed a staggering 476,690 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers during 2022/23—an average of 1,306 incidents per day. This marks a sharp increase of 160,235 incidents compared to the previous year, which saw 316,455 incidents, averaging 867 per day.

As these figures continue to climb annually, the integration of body-worn cameras in retail environments offers a promising solution, delivering numerous benefits:

• Enhanced Safety for Employees

• Conflict De-escalation

• Improved Incident Documentation

• Theft and Fraud Prevention

• Enhanced Training Opportunities

• Increased Accountability

• Improved Customer Experience

• Support During Legal Proceedings

The recently launched V200 body camera by Motorola Solutions is designed to address these challenges. Equipped with advanced features, including recording capabilities and an escalation button for Go Live Audio, the V200 ensures retail employees can instantly connect with a supervisor or security team while recording every detail of an incident.

The camera also features an intuitive top display, allowing users to quickly check battery status, Wi-Fi connection, or link to a security monitoring center. These customer-inspired design elements create a sense of constant support, enhancing employee safety and confidence throughout their shifts.

With tools like the V200, retailers can better protect their staff, deter potential threats, and foster a safer working environment.