Lincolnshire Co-op invests £200K in body cameras to tackle abuse

Lincolnshire Co-op has committed £200,000 to equip its 99 food stores and 44 pharmacies with body cameras, aiming to combat the rising levels of abuse, threats, and violence faced by staff.

Over the past five years, the society has seen a staggering 245% increase in incidents, with 127 reported in food stores and 23 in pharmacies in the last year alone.

The move follows a successful trial earlier this year at four locations, including Sincil Street Food Store, Monks Road Food Store, Birchwood Pharmacy, and Woodville Road Food Store. Staff at the trial sites praised the body cameras for enhancing their sense of security and helping to defuse challenging situations.

Security Manager Mark Foulds explained the cameras’ role in improving workplace safety: “The cameras are front-facing, showing customers what the colleague sees. This can help de-escalate incidents or make people think twice about their behaviour. They also record both video and audio, which we can share with relevant authorities when we believe a crime has taken place.”

Incidents reported by staff include abusive language, threats against colleagues and their families, and even physical attacks. Foulds highlighted the impact on staff and customers alike:
“The vast majority of customers are polite and respectful, but a minority engage in unacceptable behaviour. This not only affects our colleagues, who are simply doing their jobs, but also other customers, who can find these incidents distressing.”

Age-related sales refusals and shoplifting are among the most common triggers.

“Our teams are legally required to enforce age-related sales for products like cigarettes, vapes, and alcohol, but they often face abuse and threats when asking for ID or refusing a sale. Shoplifting is also on the rise, with a 37% increase over the past year,” said Foulds.

Pharmacies have also reported incidents linked to prescription disputes, often due to delays elsewhere in the NHS network or misunderstandings about medication availability.
“We’ve had cases where abuse occurred after we prescribed the correct generic drug, but it wasn’t what the patient expected to receive,” Foulds added.

The cameras are part of a wider range of security measures already in place at Lincolnshire Co-op outlets. These include security guards in some locations, centrally monitored CCTV, and personal attack alarms. Food store teams also use headsets for internal communication, which can deter offenders, and banning orders are issued to known troublemakers. The security team works closely with local police to pursue Criminal Behaviour Orders against prolific offenders.

Store staff have expressed their appreciation for the cameras. Sarah Hutt, Manager at Sincil Street Food Store in Lincoln, said: “The cameras make us feel more confident as they can help defuse incidents. We enjoy working in retail and providing great service, but the actions of a minority can make the job difficult. We’re thankful for our regulars and other customers who treat us with respect and kindness.”

Pharmacy Service Assistant Minnie Grainger, based at Birchwood Pharmacy in Lincoln, echoed these sentiments: “The body cameras have made us feel safer. Customers notice them, and those who might have been abusive often think twice. While the majority of our customers are wonderful, it’s good to have the cameras for added security.”

The investment underscores Lincolnshire Co-op’s commitment to creating a safer working environment for its colleagues and ensuring a more positive experience for all customers. The rollout of the cameras will take place across all stores and pharmacies in the coming months.