Currys unveils largest ever investment into safety and security

Currys has announced its largest ever annual investment in store safety measures to help keep its employees safe and deter shoplifters, amid “record high” shoplifting in retail.  As part of the investment, Currys is implementing a wide range of new technologies and safety programmes, including upgraded specification Public Display Monitors in high-risk stores, trialling and rolling out new “innovative” approaches to product security, investment in intelligence collection and analysis, and increased spend on guarding and surveillance.

Headsets for employees are also currently being trialled across selected stores and will be rolled out to all stores by the end of May. Feedback from the in-store trial so far has been positive, according to Currys, with employees noting that being able to instantly talk to their coworkers across large stores makes them feel safer, especially when confronted with shoplifters.

Currys said the headsets are also improving in-store experience for customers, who can request assistance by clicking a button at the store front that notifies the shop floor team via their headsets.

In addition, Currys is partnering with Auror to introduce crime reporting software. The platform speeds up and improves the accuracy of crime reporting, driving focus on repeat offenders to prevent crime and reduce loss.

It allows stores to share information on crimes and perpetrators in a secure environment, which is then matched with connections made between offences across the UK. This intelligence sharing helps inform workers in stores about current threats, and helps build cases for law enforcement intervention. The platform is currently in trial across two regions with the aim to roll it out across the remaining estate in early May this year.

Large scale investment is also being made in product security. Additional levels of protection will be phased into product ranges in each store. One such investment is an additional spend on enhancing security on laptop display stands in every store within the Currys estate. 

With new laptop clamps, Currys “ensures better security, without compromising the customer experience as well as other layers of protection”. The new security has already been tested widely and seen “remarkable results”, with a wider roll out due to begin next week.

The investment comes as Currys is running a nationwide ‘Safety Week’, an internal-led awareness week that allows employees to learn more about the initiatives coming to improve their safety, whilst also encouraging them to share their views and concerns.

COO Lindsay Haselhurst said: “UK retail crime statistics make for difficult reading, as incidents of shoplifting and aggression against retail workers continue to climb. These are not victimless crimes; the worst cases leave colleagues and customers injured and traumatised. 

“That’s why I’m really pleased to roll out a number of new programmes to increase colleague and product security in our stores, and welcome the new Crime and Policing Bill legislation. However, we know there is much more to be done and this must be a collaborative effort with all involved, including local police forces and Government.”

Matthew Speight, Currys UK stores director, added: “I’ve been out and about in stores seeing these new measures in action, hearing first hand from colleagues how much they’re helping. I hope that alongside showcasing our new safety features, Currys’ Safety Week will give colleagues an additional forum to openly share their concerns and ideas with us.”