As UK retailers navigate one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, new research reveals strong public support for body-worn cameras to protect shopworkers from abuse and crime.
Despite the growth of online deals, major events like Black Friday remain a major draw for in-store shopping. According to research from Sensormatic Solutions’ analytics platform, Black Friday delivers 54.9% week-on-week uplift to physical in-store shopping.
Against that backdrop, new findings from body-worn camera company HALOS show strong support for cameras as a way of protecting shop workers. Almost seven in ten (68%) UK adults believe businesses should equip frontline retail staff with body-worn cameras to protect them from verbal or physical abuse. A further three in five (60%) say cameras should be used to deter theft and other criminal behaviour.
The research also explored what people see as the main role of body-worn cameras in store. Half (50%) of Brits see improving the safety of retail staff as one of the key reasons to use them, compared with 9% who say cameras should be used to make customers feel safer. This suggests the public views cameras first and foremost as a way to safeguard staff rather than reassure shoppers.
When thinking about their own shopping experiences, more than a third (35%) of UK adults say they would feel comfortable with retail workers wearing body-worn cameras in stores where they shop.
Matt Dawes, strategic account manager at HALOS, said: “Retail workers are facing rising levels of abuse and aggression, and the busy festive sales period only increases the pressure on frontline staff. These findings show the public recognises that body-worn cameras can play an important role in deterring unacceptable behaviour and in giving staff greater confidence that incidents will be recorded and dealt with.
“Used transparently and responsibly, body-worn cameras can help create a safer environment for staff and customers alike. Not just during big seasonal shopping events, but throughout the peak trading season and beyond.”
