Pret trials use of body cameras to improve staff safety

Pret A Manger is trialling the use of body-worn cameras in its stores as an extra safety measure for staff.

 

The café chain confirmed a report in The Telegraph that it has begun testing the security measure across six of its stores.

 

Only team leaders or managers will wear the cameras and signage has been put up to tell customers about the trial.

 

It is understood the cameras will not always be recording and will only be switched on in specific circumstances at the discretion of the team leader or manager.

 

Only Pret’s security team will have access to the footage, The Caterer understands.

 

A Pret spokesperson said: “Last month, we started trialling body-worn cameras in a small number of our shops as a new safety measure.

 

"These are only being worn by team leaders or managers and are only turned on in specific circumstances.”

 

It follows concerns over the rising level of attacks on frontline retail workers. A 2023 survey by the Retail Trust found 90% of retail workers had faced abuse while at work.

 

However, 24% said they did not report abuse and 28% didn’t know how to respond to or report abusive incidents.

 

Shops and cafés across the country were damaged in far-right violence this week but the Pret trial is believed to have started before the incidents.

 

Pret launched in London in 1986 and operates nearly 700 shops worldwide.

 

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