In response to rising theft, Waitrose is offering free coffees to police officers visiting their stores.
- The initiative aims to address increased crime amid the cost-of-living crisis.
- Police presence is expected to deter shoplifting and anti-social behavior.
- Reported assaults on retail staff have alarmingly increased since 2020.
- Waitrose maintains that professional shoplifters are primarily responsible for the surge.
Waitrose has introduced a new initiative offering complimentary coffees to police officers, aiming to counter the escalating issue of shoplifting as crime rates soar amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This strategic move, termed ‘thanks a latte’, is intended to encourage law enforcement presence in stores, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves. Officers can receive a free coffee when they visit a Waitrose or John Lewis location, provided they bring their reusable cup.
Assaults on Waitrose employees have nearly doubled since 2020, according to findings from the British Retail Consortium. The data indicates that physical assaults on frontline retail staff have surged by 30% year-on-year, while incidents of anti-social behavior and verbal abuse have risen by 20%. A staggering 850 cases of abuse directed at store personnel are being reported daily, underpinning the urgency of measures to curb such occurrences.
Nicki Juniper, head of security at John Lewis, has clarified the increasing thefts are not solely tied to the current economic challenges. She attributes the rise predominantly to professional shoplifters who steal out of greed rather than necessity. Juniper emphasizes the psychological impact of a visible police presence, stating that just having a police car parked outside can significantly deter potential shoplifters.
Lucy Brown, Director of Security for the John Lewis Partnership, highlighted the upward trend of shoplifting activities, emphasizing that a considerable number involve repeat offenders targeting multiple retailers. The phenomenon is not exclusive to Waitrose, as evidenced by record levels of shoplifting reported by Co-op stores, where nearly 1,000 incidents occurred daily in the year’s first half—marking a 35% increase. Moreover, the retailer disclosed police non-response to 71% of serious retail crime reports, highlighting enforcement challenges.
Waitrose’s free coffee initiative for police seeks to enhance store safety amid rising retail crime.
