Body worn cameras are increasingly in demand in the retail sector to help prevent crime, ensure safety, and capture evidence if incidents occur. Major retailers are waking up to the benefits of equipping staff with these small, discreet devices. As the increasing trend of shop lifting and theft increases with the ongoing cost of living crisis, many of the major UK retailers are beginning to trial the use of bodycams within their stores.

One such retailer trialling their use is supermarket chain Aldi, who recently announced they installed body cams in some stores as part of a three month trial period. Alongside Tesco who also recently announced that they have invested in body cams for their staff after assaults in store had risen by a third in a year. These recently publicised trials highlight the growing acceptance of this technology among major retailers who are exploring options for enhanced security. While shoplifting and abuse directed at employees has always posed issues, today’s tough economic climate means retailers large and small are having to go the extra mile to protect assets.

But what are the main benefits of implementing body worn cameras for retail settings?

Preventing crime and deterring shoplifting:
Body cams can act as a visible deterrent to criminals and reduce theft and shoplifting. Major retailers like Home Depot have reported drops in shoplifting rates after implementing body cam programs.

Ensuring staff safety:
There has traditionally been some resistance among retail employees around wearable cameras, with unions citing privacy and distrust as issues. However, with rising abuse and violence, attitudes are changing. When questioned by Retail Trust, 58% of staff reported that they felt unsafe whilst at work with a further 94% of staff reporting to being involved in occurrences of shoplifting, aggressive behaviour or felt intimidated.

Body cams provide evidence if violent incidents occur, and can improve staff confidence in managing hostile customers. Boots stores, where body-worn cameras were worn consistently, have seen a 45% reduction in incidents of violence and aggression towards store team members.

One independent survey found over 60% of retail store employees favour body worn cameras, citing feelings of safety and confidence to manage difficult customers. With adequate training and consultation, retailers can secure staff buy-in and offer employees extra protection on the job.

Capturing evidence:
Body cams provide valuable visual evidence from an employee's perspective if confrontations, accidents or thefts occur. The recorded footage can be used to support investigations and claims. Body-worn video captures audio and visual recordings in greater detail than traditional CCTV we are used to seeing in stores. This provides increased transparency and accountability of actions and offers valuable and accurate evidence capture. Furthermore, it increases the chance of conviction and minimises the need for lengthy reports and court proceedings.

Multifunctional Communications
Body Worn cameras can also double up as a two-way radio, giving employees instant communication channels with others when needed. The Hytera SC580 used in conjunction with the Hytera PTToC application converts the the body camera to work multipurpose as a PoC radio and enables officers to instantly communicate across the team with a single push on the PTT button. This means that not only is the camera recording live events unfolding, it is also allowing staff to speak to each other from different locations across retail sites. Not only is this a more cost effective way to provide security and communication to your team members, it also means that they need to carry less equipment as part of their uniform.

Eliminating blind spots:
Body worn cameras offer considerable advantages over ceiling or wall mounted CCTV cameras. The highly portable cameras provide staff with extra “eyes” to capture vital visual evidence if confrontations or thefts occur. Unlike fixed CCTV which can have blind spots, body cams give 360 degree visibility from an employee’s perspective. High-definition footage provides images sharp enough to help identify perpetrators.

Improve training and performance:
Video and audio footage capture is not only beneficial for preventing crime, it can also be used to improve staff training and performance. Reviewing footage of live action situations enables trainers to guide their staff members in the right direction to diffuse situations, handle customer disputes and gain confidence in their equipment. Footage can be used to improve the way in which employees recognise, avoid and respond to any issues in store.

Complementing analytics tech:
Far from standalone solutions, body worn cameras are increasingly being bundled into integrated retail security offerings alongside digital video analytics, facial recognition and automatic detection systems. This smart camera ecosystem promises to give retailers enhanced real-time alert capabilities alongside vital video evidencing.

Creating a web of sensors throughout stores promises to help retail crime analysts plug gaps while directing body cam equipped employees to hot spots.

As artificial intelligence gives stationary cameras smarter focus, body worn cameras add the human element that CCTV lacks. Together, an ecosystem of smart visibility tech could take retail threat detection and evidence capture to new levels.

Reassuring customers:
Responsible body cam usage policies, with adequate signage, can reassure law-abiding customers that staff interactions are being recorded. The presence of such signage and visible body worn cameras, can act as reassurance for members of the public that they can shop safely, protected by video surveillance and with the comfort of knowing that any issues or violence will be witnessed and recorded.

With major chains like Aldi piloting body worn cameras, their crime reduction and evidencing capabilities are gaining recognition in the retail sector, with other retailers following suit.

Among an ecosystem of analytics tech, body cams look set to become the eyes and ears of retailers. The retail store employee of 2025 could view body-worn cameras as standard as uniforms. As trials give way to permanent roll outs, the future looks increasingly visible thanks to body cams offering round the clock assurance.

To find out more about how your business could benefit from adding Body Worn Cameras to your employees’ uniform contact our team.