Copied

Share this page

Co-op confronts retail crime with body cameras

The story

Overview

Introduction

The challenge

How we helped

The impact

Testimonials

Conclusion

Contact sales

Co-op protects staff with wearable tech

An increase in in-store violence has lead to the British retailer equipping its workforce with the VT100 body camera.

Retail
Body Camera & In Car Video

Body cameras address in-store threats

Simple to use and ready to wear, this lightweight device has deterred antisocial behaviour and improved colleague confidence across Co-op stores.

Body cameras address in-store threats

Simple to use and ready to wear, this lightweight device has deterred antisocial behaviour and improved colleague confidence across Co-op stores.

About Co-op

Leading convenience retailer, the Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members. As well as having clear financial and operational objectives, the Co-op is a recognized leader thanks to its social goals and community-led programmes.

2,600 +

local, convenience and medium-sized Co-op stores

£70m

invested by Co-op in security, crime prevention, and colleague safety

70,000

Co-op employees

The challenge

Launching in 2018, Co-op’s Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities initiative demonstrates the retailer’s dedication to tackling crime and violence in its stores, and protecting its colleagues. While traditional CCTV successfully provided in-store surveillance, Co-op recognised the technology’s limitations in proactively supporting its colleagues. They looked to invest in new technology that was connected, innovative and available for staff.

140%

increase in in-store crime, 2020

1,350

cases of violence against staff, 2020

250

colleagues face violence in-store, daily

64%

of incidents involved the use of knives

The solution

The Co-op trialled Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras in 50 stores it identified as being most impacted by crime. Subsequently, we were awarded the contract to supply a further 200 stores with our integrated video solution.

Co-op colleague wears a VT100 body camera

The impact

Fixing easily to the uniform of store colleagues, the VT100 is activated with the simple push of a button, capturing court-ready evidence and an audit trail for transparency. Should a Co-op colleague feel threatened, they can instantly enable a live stream of their camera’s perspective to the Co-op’s Security Operations Centre, managed by Mitie, their security services provider. Trained personnel will then assess the situation and dispatch police support where necessary. Tamperproof footage is stored on the device, where it is later offloaded to VideoManager, Motorola Solutions’ software for managing body camera footage.

"Nothing is more important than protecting our colleagues, now and in the future."

Jo Whitfield

Retail Chief Executive

Europe

"I can speak from personal experience that just having a body cam there makes me feel so much safer. Just knowing I have it to hand it gives me the confidence that whatever happens is recorded for evidence. "

Colston Davidge

Co-op Store Manager

Europe