Tesco Rolls Out Body-Worn Cameras for Over 5,000 Delivery Drivers Amid Rise in Threats and Incidents

Tesco, a leading UK retailer, is enhancing the safety of its delivery drivers by providing over 5,000 employees with body-worn cameras. The move aims to prevent and reduce serious incidents targeting drivers, who have faced increasing threats and violent behavior in recent years. The company's efforts follow a successful pilot scheme in Hull, where serious incidents dropped by 50% after the introduction of body-worn cameras.

Key Takeaways:

• Tesco will equip over 5,000 delivery drivers with body-worn cameras to enhance their workplace safety.
• The cameras have already demonstrated effectiveness in cutting serious incidents involving drivers by 50% in a pilot scheme in Hull.
• The company has invested significantly in safety measures over the past four years, including security officers, refurbished Security Hubs, and other practical measures.
• Tesco has backed the government's Crime and Policing Bill, welcoming the creation of a specific offense for assaulting retail workers and advocating for online delivery drivers to be included within the remit of the offense.
• The company has implemented additional safety measures, such as personal safety apps and body-worn cameras, to address concerns from colleagues over safety issues, including traveling to and from work.
• Tesco plans to roll out body-worn cameras to further delivery sites in 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect its employees.

Statistics:

• 1.45 million: The number of online grocery deliveries processed by Tesco weekly.
• 5,000: The number of delivery drivers who will be equipped with body-worn cameras.
• 50%: The reduction in serious incidents involving drivers in the Hull pilot scheme after the introduction of body-worn cameras.
• 60%: The decline in serious cases and 37% drop in verbal abuse of delivery drivers in Scotland, where the offense includes online delivery drivers.
• £64 million: The amount invested by Tesco in safety measures over the past four years.

Sources:

• "Tesco to roll out body-worn cameras for delivery drivers" (Mirror).
• Statement from Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO.
• Statement from Daniel Adams, national officer for Usdaw.