bp is rolling out a crime intelligence platform across its 300 company-owned stores and has provided staff with body cameras at 70 locations.

The fuel giant said that the move will protect its customers and employees from abuse and crime.

The Auror platform allows the company to gather and share relevant information on retail crime with local police and other retailers.

The security measures follow a successful pilot in 2023 when bp tested body cameras at eight stores experiencing high levels of verbal abuse. The company found that incidents decreased, while collaboration with local police led to positive results such as customers apologising for their behaviour after seeing their action on the front-facing screens of the body worn cameras.

“Safety comes first at bp; we are always looking at ways we can create a safer working environment for colleagues and a better retail experience for customers,” said Sonya Adams, VP mobility and convenience retail in the UK. “We serve millions of customers every week with the vast majority of transactions being pleasant and positive.”

She continued: “However, in line with the rest of the retail sector, we are seeing an increase in crime and abuse of our colleagues, and that’s unacceptable. We will continue to collaborate with others in the sector, and invest in technology like Auror and the Reveal body cameras, to help us combat these issues.”

Several other UK-based retailers have also recently implemented body cameras and additional security measures to keep their staff safe.

In November last year, Lidl became the first UK supermarket chain to roll out body cameras across all of its stores investing over £2 million in the security measures.

Earlier this month, the British government passed legislation which made the assault of a retail worker a specific criminal offence. The move came after British retailers demanded the government tackle rising rates of retail crime, calling for those caught assaulting or abusing a retail worker to face a standalone offence.

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