Tesco has become the first major UK retailer to roll out body-worn cameras for its delivery drivers.
The UK’s biggest retailer has announced it will roll out the equipment to more than 5,000 delivery drivers in 100 stores by the end of the year, saying it wants to make its staff feel safer at work.
Tesco delivers 1.45 million online grocery orders a week and said the investment was in response to escalating levels of threats and violence towards retail delivery drivers in recent years.
The cameras have already been rolled out to store staff, and Tesco said it hoped they would act as a deterrent. They have been shown in the retailer’s trials to reduce serious incidents against drivers by 50%.
It stressed the cameras will only be turned on if a driver feels unsafe. Tesco decided to proceed with a wider distribution following a successful trial in Hull, which reduced serious incidents significantly.
Protecting retail staff
Tesco is backing the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which includes the introduction of a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker, having helped lead a long industry campaign to crack down on violence and threats to staff.
It said it would continue to make the case for online delivery drivers to be included in the scope of the offence, particularly as they work alone without the protection that comes with being in a store.
Such a move would bring the law in England and Wales into line with Scotland, where delivery drivers are within the scope of the offence and reported cases have fallen compared to the rest of the UK – with a reduction of 60% of serious incidents and a 37% reduction of verbal abuse.
Tesco has invested tens of millions of pounds in safety measures over the past four years, including investing at its highest-ever rates in security officers, the recent refurbishment of its Security Hub in Daventry, and in other practical measures including body-worn cameras, protective screens and door entry systems.
Read more: Retail bodies welcome progress to protect sector from theft and harm
In September, Tesco gave all its UK colleagues free access to a personal safety app that can track their journeys and help them to raise the alarm if they don’t feel safe.
“Nobody should have to face verbal or physical abuse at work, and the rollout of body-worn cameras will help us protect our drivers, deter would-be offenders and reduce the number of serious incidents,” said Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues will always be our first priority and we are making significant investments to make sure we lead the way in tackling retail crime and ensure everyone feels safe whenever they shop with Tesco.”
Prasad continued: “No retailer can tackle this issue alone and that’s why we welcome the government’s Crime and Policing Bill and encourage them to go further, sending a message to offenders by extending the standalone offence to cover online delivery drivers.”
Tesco said it had engaged closely with its delivery driver colleagues and responded to their request for additional technology to help them feel safe while out on deliveries. Plans are in development for a wider rollout to further delivery sites in 2026.
Daniel Adams, national officer for the trade union Usdaw, said: “Usdaw regularly engages with Tesco on its ongoing efforts to protect retail workers from the continued threat of abuse and violence.
“Our customer delivery driver reps have consistently pointed out that this is an issue that extends beyond stores, with drivers being particularly vulnerable. Therefore, this investment in body cams is to be welcomed, given the clear evidence that they significantly reduce the risks of abuse and violence for those that wear them.
“This is also why the union is reiterating its call on the government to ensure home delivery drivers are included in the new standalone offence for assaulting retail workers as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. No worker should face the risk of threats, abuse and violence in doing their job and we must all do everything that we can to ensure all workplaces are healthy and safe.”
No comments yet