H&M latest retailer to trial staff body cameras

H&M has started trialling body-worn cameras for its staff in the UK as retailers seek to address rising levels of theft and violence in stores.

According to This is Money, the Swedish fashion retailer is testing the equipment at branches in Edinburgh, Wood Green and Beckton in London. 

It follows similar moves by Tesco, the Co-operative Group and Lidl, which have rolled out bodycams to staff in response to growing concerns about employee safety.

Staff have reported incidents of verbal abuse, threats, spitting and physical violence, often while being instructed not to confront offenders directly.

Retailers have blamed an alleged lack of police enforcement for worsening crime levels on the high street. Trade groups also stated that shoplifting rose by 20% last year, with about 2,000 violent and abusive incidents against retail staff occurring each day.

As a result, the wearable cameras, which can be clipped to clothing, can record footage to support investigations by police. 

This is Money also learnt that in addition to body-worn cameras, retailers are deploying further security measures. 

A coalition of major chains, including Tesco, Morrisons, Boots, Primark and Greggs, announced plans last week to share images of repeat offenders with police through a new database called Auror. 

Developed in New Zealand, the system allows stores to create internal watchlists and prevent known shoplifters from entering premises.

Some high street brands have also introduced physical barriers to deter theft, such as locking everyday products – including pork, ham and mincemeat – in anti-theft packaging or moving items behind tills. In May, Greggs confirmed it had relocated certain goods to behind the counter.

Police in England and Wales recorded a record 516,971 shoplifting offences in 2024, up from 429,873 the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

Recorded retail losses from theft rose to £2.2bn from £1.8bn over the same period. Labour has pledged to make assaults on shop workers a specific offence in England and Wales under the Crime and Policing Bill. 

The proposed legislation would bring the law in line with Scotland and allow courts to impose sentences of up to six months in prison for such offences.

A spokesperson for H&M told Retail Sector: “We’re testing this new technology in a three-store pilot to assess what beneficial impact it may have, along with proper staff customer service training, on de-escalating and reducing incidents for the safety of both our colleagues and customers.”