Training staff to tackle violence instore is dangerously low on the priority list for most retailers, warned former hostage negotiator and Safeway external consultant Mark Dawes. Speaking at a retail crime conference hosted by Reliance Security Services, Dawes said changes in the law meant the management rather than the individual is often responsible if thieves are injured while staff attempt to detain them. “Instead of asking, what is my budget for training? you should be asking, what is my budget for prosecution?’ when allocating resources,” he added. Staff must be trained to restrain people properly or they risk ending up in court for assault or even corporate manslaughter, said Dawes. {{NEWS }}
