A leading fuel and forecourt provider has hailed the rollout of 100 body-worn cameras for staff, with almost three quarters (73%) saying customers are less aggressive now they are in use over the three month trial period.

Certas Energy, an independent fuel and lubricants distributor with a national network of forecourts in the UK, has introduced body cameras with a 50K investment into retail security, at 40 of its company-owned, manned Gulf forecourts, after a staff survey highlighted the importance in deterring antisocial behaviour on site.

More than half (55%) of respondents strongly agreed that a daily portion of their time is spent dealing with abusive behaviour, with the same (55%) amount saying they encounter one or more instances of physical or verbal threats per week.

Since the introduction of body cameras, employees have reportedly agreed that they felt reassured wearing the devices.

Deterring antisocial behaviour

Mark Harrington, Area Manager for the North East, Certas Energy commented: “We want our staff to feel safe and be treated with respect.

“Abuse should not be part of their working day. We’ve found that simply the presence of the cameras – clipped to staff’s polo shirts or jackets – has been a huge deterrent against antisocial behaviour and has gone a long way toward making staff feel safer.

“The cameras have helped my teams feel they aren’t powerless against antisocial behaviour and that there are steps they can safely take to help tackle it.”

Investing in staff safety

The body cameras record in 15-minute intervals and only when switched on by staff when an incident is occurring or about to occur.

Since the introduction of the body cameras across Certas, the company has reported an immediate drop in safety incidents and a significant boost in staff comfort levels when on shift.

Almost three quarters (73%) of staff also agreed that the cameras provided them with reassurance of the ability to provide evidence of incidents and allegations.

Certas’s body cameras are also said to be helping staff to tackle shoplifting head on – a problem which costs retailers £953 million annually according to the British Retail Consortium.

“Customers are more polite”

An anonymous respondent who took part in the trial said: “During the period with the body cams, the way people talk and interact with me and my colleagues has improved and customers are more polite.

“I believe that it also helps to reduce violence against us and makes thieves think twice.”

Gareth Payne, Head of HSE Engineering, Certas Energy said: “Introducing body cameras is a huge milestone in our ongoing health and safety journey at Certas.

“It’s something we invest heavily in for the benefit of our people and customers.

“On a more personal note, to see the difference in our staff, the improvement in their comfort level and confidence is priceless.”