Retail Crime – our ongoing commitment
This article will take approximately 3 minutes to read
Published 21 Apr 2022 in Raising Awareness
As we continue to gain greater protection for our colleagues, members and customers, today we share an update from the Safe Stores team who are working hard to combat Retail crime across our stores and help create a safer place for those who work and shop with us.
What’s the background?
The Society has long campaigned for tougher penalties for those convicted of attacks on shop workers, which now looks set to be introduced when the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill is passed into law. To coincide with this, the Board have approved a 5-year strategy at a significant investment of £1m which will go towards upgrading infrastructure and Store equipment with enhanced security features. Retail crime is an area that we take extremely seriously, so we hope this continues to make our Stores and colleagues feel as safe as possible while serving members and customers.
So, what’s happened so far?
Over the last few weeks, the team have started to introduce a number of initiatives, have a read of them below:
Roaming officers
The officers have been onboarded and trained by Amberstone along with a Midcounties induction, with the Safe Stores team visiting stores with the Roaming Officer to meet Store Managers and Teams to support engagement. The Roaming Officers are now live being deployed around our highest risk stores.
Key Holding
Key holding has been transferred over to Amberstone at the beginning of the month. There are 21 stores that require a site survey which has now been completed. We are also organising a meeting with DCI and the key holders to clearly understand responsibilities and ultimately liability where there is any potential stock lost from fridge breakdowns.
Reporting Portal
The trial has now been completed in 10 stores along with feedback sessions at particular sites. From the feedback, we have amended the reporting document to make it easier for our stores to complete. This went live on the 4th April to the remaining sites.
Guardian Angel
The Guardian Angel model has been run as a proof of concept in Codsall Food. Alongside this there will be additional elements which we will be trialling including fixed panic alarms (down high shrinkage isles) and Vocovo Headsets to fully understand the benefits of either the service or security we can offer our colleagues and customers. CCTV monitoring has also been trialled along with the perimeter strategy function completed on 8th April.
Crime Hub
The crime hub incorporates a dedicated operator for Midcounties with access to our CCTV. The operator is now in position to review incidents and manage case files for us. This went live on 4th April.
What do our colleagues think of the new Safe Stores project?
“Since recently seeing the new Roaming Officers, it has been evident that shop lifting rates have fallen in our store. They are pleasant and polite to customers and colleagues. It is obvious that their presence and uniform make shoplifters aware of what they are doing and how we have less tolerance for theft. The officers themselves have fitted in well and get along with all colleagues and are respectful to customers and help with customers if they are asked.”
Acer Woolley, Fullbrook Food.
“It has been great to see Sean from the Safe Stores team who has visited my store several times in the last couple of months. It was also good to meet the Roaming Officers when they came to visit my store and my colleagues and I are looking forward to their support in-store.”
Sandra Fernandes, Store Manager, Groundwell Road
"The new Safe Stores Roaming Officers are really friendly and approachable. They make me feel safe, as they look the part of a security officer and this can help to deter any potential offenders. They always come and say hello at the start of their shift which is nice, as we know they are around to help if we need them and we haven't got to worry about shoplifters in the store"
Julie Wood, Walsall Town Centre
Championing our cause – Usdaw Award winners and colleagues Michelle Whitehead & Belinda Davies
Just last month, our colleagues have been recognised for the campaigning they have done as part of the Usdaw Freedom from Fear campaign. Due to a Covid delay in the Usdaw awards ceremony in January, Michelle Whitehead from Fordhouses Post Office came away with the Campaigns Award for the West Midlands Region. Michelle is a passionate Usdaw representative and has worked tirelessly to promote a safer place for our colleagues working in-store.
Recently retired colleague Belinda Davies also won the Outstanding Achievement Award for the Oxford and Swindon area after the work she did as a Union representative. A great achievement for both our colleagues as we strive towards better protection in the workplace.
Michelle Whitehead receiving her Usdaw Campaigns Award the West Midlands Region
Colleagues Michelle Whitehead and Belinda Davies with their awards - Well done!
Michelle mentioned “I was flabbergasted when they read my name out, I won the award for every person in retail because we all go through the same harassment and abuse every single day, every single week. I'm so proud of my company, Midcounties who have allowed me to have a voice. I will carry on using my voice to fight on behalf of my members."