Ann Summers Trials Staff Bodycams Amid UK Retail Crime Surge

Ann Summers has begun trialing body-worn cameras for its UK retail staff in response to a surge in shoplifting, sexual harassment, and antisocial behavior, aiming to enhance employee safety and wellbeing. The lingerie and sex toy retailer joins other major stores like Tesco, H&M, Co-op, and Lidl that have implemented similar technology amid rising retail crime and abusive incidents against workers, which reached over 2,000 daily last year in the UK. Despite significant industry investment in security, including CCTV and panic buttons, shoplifting increased by 20%, prompting calls from Ann Summers' leadership for stronger police response to protect staff. The cameras can record up to 10 hours and are activated by employees when they feel unsafe, with the company emphasizing the goal of fostering a culture of respect and security in stores. Public opinion appears generally supportive or indifferent towards bodycams in retail settings, reflecting a broader acceptance of such technology beyond law enforcement. Additionally, retailers are complementing bodycams with other measures like anti-theft tags and offender databases, while political efforts are underway to address retail crime more effectively.