Greggs will give staff at some London outlets body cameras after a reported rise in thefts and threats from customers.
The bakery chain is trialling the use of the deterrent in some of its busiest stores, including London Bridge, and a sign outside will warn the cameras will be in use.
The sign reads, “To ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues, we're trialling body-worn cameras in this shop… audio and video will be recorded.”
Greggs was approached for comment by the Standard while an unverified source told the Sun that the cameras had been introduced to help protect staff members.
The ‘source’ told the paper: “The cameras were introduced as staff were getting worried they could be attacked.
“Everyone’s noticed there’s more shoplifting.
“If it was filmed on a bodycam there’s more of a chance they would be put off trying.”
The cameras are said to have a 90-minute lifespan but will require staff to hold an ‘on’ button for five seconds in order for it to power up and start recording.
The source added: “They don’t really do much because they take five seconds to power up and start recording.
“By the time you’ve got it on, the thieves are gone.”
If the news is true, then Greggs will join Primark, Tesco and Co-Op in introducing the cameras as a means of keeping staff safe.
Last year, Lidl also said it would be giving the technology to workers while Sainsbury’s took the step back in 2020.
Industry lobby group the British Retail Consortium said its 2023 crime survey showed that incidents of violence and abuse towards industry workers had almost doubled against pre-pandemic levels to 867 incidents every day in the latest year.
Lidl chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “Our investment into ensuring all our stores have body-worn cameras is just one of the ways we’re taking action to protect and provide reassurance to our colleagues and customers.”
