Co-op, the largest consumer co-operative in the U.K. and one of
the largest retailers in the country, is rolling out an integrated
body-worn video solution from Motorola Solutions to front-line
colleagues, with a focus on further increasing safety in-store
against a background of rising retail crime in the industry.
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Motorola Solutions VT100 Body-Worn Camera
(Photo: Business Wire)
The Co-op has seen in-store crime increase by more than 140%
year-on-year, despite communities recognising the critical role
played by retail workers in society - true frontline workers in the
days of a global pandemic. The number of violent incidents also hit
record levels with 1,350 attacks having been experienced by Co-op
shop workers in the first six months of 2020.
The retailer warns of a crime and violence epidemic and its
targeted deployment of a body-worn video solution forms part of an
ongoing commitment to invest a further £70M over the next three
years in innovative technology to keep colleagues safe.
Co-op will equip front-line staff with more than 1,000 Motorola
Solutions VT100 body-worn cameras in around 250 stores initially,
with the ability to stream video in real-time to the Security
Operations Centre of Co-op security partner, Mitie. The footage is
used to identify criminals and provide evidence to secure
prosecution.
The market-leading VT100 body-worn camera from Motorola
Solutions can be worn in standby mode for up to six months,
preserving battery for instances when Co-op store colleagues feel
threatened by aggressive or violent behaviour. The cameras are
operated by a simple one-push activation, instantly recording
footage to the camera itself, and streaming live video to the
security operations centre, allowing for a quick response from
security personnel or police.
The cameras are supported by cloud-hosted VideoManager software,
which enables secure and efficient camera allocation, user
administration and incident management. With security features such
as comprehensive audit-trails, encryption, configurable retention
policies and RFID camera allocation, this integrated solution
ensures footage and incidents are dealt with efficiently and
securely.
As part of its Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign,
Co-op is also building awareness and support for MP Alex Norris’
“Assault on Shop Workers Bill” which has now seen its second
reading in Parliament postponed until September. The Bill states
that because shop workers have responsibilities to uphold the law
on age-restricted products they should be afforded greater
protection in carrying out those public duties.
In its 2020 Crime Report*, the Association of Convenience Stores
(ACS) found that a quarter of violent incidents resulted in injury,
with a weapon used in almost 20% of occurrences. A knife was the
most commonly used weapon (43%) with axes, hammers and syringes
also used to attack or threaten shop workers.
In 2019, Co-op funded research** into retail crime, with the
hard-hitting findings reporting that shop workers were showing
signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Co-op has committed a further £70M over the next three years in
innovative technology to keep colleagues safer, it has introduced:
SmartWater Fog Cannons, the latest remote monitored iCCTV, body
cameras and communication headsets for all frontline
colleagues.
Cheryl Houghton, Co-op Retail Security Manager, said:
“Shop workers play an essential role serving communities, yet they
have to contend with unprecedented levels of violence and abuse on
a daily basis. As a community retailer we see the impact of social
issues in our stores. I have never seen such high levels of
violence and abuse, it’s a societal issue that all retailers are
concerned about and it’s having lasting effects on the lives of
shop workers - both mentally and physically. It is not part of the
job to be verbally abused, threatened or attacked and we’re
determined to make sure it isn’t. Calling for greater protection
for shop workers carrying out public duties and for the root causes
of crime in communities to be addressed.”
Richie McBride, Director of Business Operations, Video &
Analytics at Motorola Solutions U.K., said: “Body-worn video is
becoming a critical element in commercial organisations’ strategy
to keep their employees safe. As a company focused on
mission-critical solutions, we provide our commercial customers
with the right tools to help them enhance their operational
efficiency, responsiveness and safety. We are proud to partner with
one of the U.K.’s largest retailers in its work to further improve
the shopping experience and enhance safety for both shoppers and
staff.”
About Co-op
The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives
with interests across food, funerals, insurance, legal services and
health. It has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing
business for you and your communities. Owned by millions of U.K.
consumers, the Co-op operates 2,600 food stores, and over 1,000
funeral homes. It has more than 63,000 colleagues and annual
revenue of over £10 billion.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical
communications and analytics. Our technology platforms in
mission-critical communications, command centre software, video
security & analytics, bolstered by managed & support
services, make cities safer and help communities and businesses
thrive. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a new era in
public safety and security. Learn more at
www.motorolasolutions.com.
Notes:
*ACS 2020 Crime Report:
https://www.acs.org.uk/sites/default/files/acs_crime_report_2020_online_versionb_spreads.pdf
**Report: “It’s not part of the job: violence and abuse towards
shop workers” Dr. Emmeline Taylor, Director of Research, Department
of Sociology at City, University of London:
https://assets.ctfassets.net/5ywmq66472jr/22QfMejeWYbimJ9ykX9W9h/0e99f15c0ed24c16ab74d38b42d5129a/It_s_not_part_of_the_job_report.pdf
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Media Contacts Elvan Lindberg Motorola Solutions +46
(0)707448893 Elvan.Lindberg@motorolasolutions.com
Maor Aharoni Motorola Solutions +972 3 5658703
maor.aharoni@motorolasolutions.com
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