TESCO is rolling out a tough new crackdown on crime inside its stores.
Starting from Monday next week, the UK’s biggest grocer will trial the system for 10 weeks across Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
The move comes as shop workers face a wave of abuse, with the latest BRC Crime Survey revealing more than 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse every single day.
Tesco, which goes head to head with Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi and Lidl, says enough is enough.
The Auror reporting platform will let colleagues log security incidents faster and flag repeat and dangerous offenders.
It is already used by several major retailers and UK police forces. Tesco believes the trial will boost colleague safety and help police crack down on violent and abusive behaviour.
Lucy Whing of the British Retail Consortium said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime – it feeds through into higher prices for honest shoppers”.
Security director Rachel Bennett said the investment would help Tesco lead the way in tackling retail crime and drive collaboration across the sector to deter would-be criminals.
Auror bosses say they are delighted to partner with Tesco to build on its efforts to keep stores safe.
Mark Gleeson, Auror’s VP for the UK and Europe, said the software gives store teams a clear and consistent way to record crime and connect the dots on prolific offenders.
He warned that across the UK the top 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for 70 per cent of retail crime.
He added that one in every 10 retail crime incidents is violent or involves a weapon.
The trial comes after Tesco has pumped tens of millions of pounds into security over the last four years.
Measures include record spending on security officers, body-worn cameras, protective screens, extra mobile patrols and tougher door entry systems.
