Poundland has partnered with Motorola Solutions to enhance security at its retail stores in the UK, aiming to reduce violence and theft.
The retail chain has deployed VT100 body cameras to frontline employees at Poundland locations, resulting in an 11% decrease in aggressive encounters and a reduction in shoplifting incidents.
Neil Thomas, corporate vice president of enterprise sales at Motorola Solutions, commented:
“A safer environment for frontline workers and shoppers alike underpins everything retailers do. The VT100 empowers in-store staff with the information they need to decisively protect their employees, customers, and stores.”
Alongside the body cameras, Poundland utilizes Motorola Solutions’ VideoManager digital evidence management solution to organize video data effectively.
Retail workers have encountered issues such as petty theft, organized crime rings, and hostile customer interactions, leading to a need for enhanced security measures.
The deployment of body cameras addresses growing personal safety concerns among UK retail workers, with one in four considering leaving their jobs due to safety worries. The cameras are seen as effective tools in de-escalating dangerous situations, with 70% of shop workers believing in their contribution to safety.
Poundland’s Security and Loss Prevention team hope to benefit from the initiative by efficiently documenting events and streamlining investigations.
The UK government has announced initiatives to combat retail crime, including investments in technology to deter shoplifting and proposed legislation to classify assaults on shop workers as a separate criminal offense in England and Wales.
