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Motor vehicle drivers

Tesco Employs Body Cams to Protect Delivery Drivers Against Abuse

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tesco is taking decisive action to safeguard its delivery drivers from a surge in verbal and physical abuse while making home deliveries. The retail giant has announced it will equip over 5,000 drivers with body cameras to record evidence of abusive customers. This move follows a recent survey by the Usdaw union, which revealed that more than three-quarters of delivery drivers for major chains, including Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's, have been subjected to abuse within the past 12 months. A staggering 13% of drivers have been physically assaulted, and over a quarter have refused deliveries due to concerns for their personal safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tesco will provide body cameras to over 5,000 delivery drivers at more than 100 stores by the end of the year.
  • A recent Usdaw survey found that 76% of delivery drivers experienced abuse in the past 12 months, with 13% reporting physical assault.
  • Over a quarter of drivers have refused deliveries due to fears for their personal safety.
  • Tesco's UK Chief Ashwin Prasad has called for additional protections for delivery drivers, suggesting the extension of the standalone offence to cover online delivery drivers.
  • USdaw's national officer Daniel Adams emphasizes that no worker should face threats, abuse, and violence while doing their job.
  • Tesco's body cam trial reduced serious incidents against drivers by 50%.
  • Retail violence and abuse towards shopworkers rose by over 50% to over 2,000 incidents per day last year, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
  • Tesco has also introduced a safety app for workers, allowing them to set their destination and mode of transportation and receive SOS alerts if they are at risk.

Statistics:

  • 76% of delivery drivers experienced abuse in the past 12 months (Usdaw Survey)
  • 13% of drivers reported physical assault (Usdaw Survey)
  • 26% of drivers refused deliveries due to concerns for personal safety (Usdaw Survey)
  • 50% reduction in serious incidents against drivers with body cams (Tesco's trial)
  • 2,000+ incidents of retail violence and abuse per day in 2022 (British Retail Consortium)
  • 50% increase in retail violence and abuse towards shopworkers (British Retail Consortium)

Sources:

  • Usdaw: "Delivery drivers facing abuse" article, no date
  • Tesco's announcement, no date
  • British Retail Consortium (BRC): "Retail Violence and Abuse Report" 2022
  • The Telegraph: "Tesco gives DNA testing kits to delivery drivers to fight abuse" article, no date

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