Tesco has unveiled a new multimillion-pound security hub in Daventry, Northamptonshire, as part of a major investment to tackle the growing problem of retail crime across its UK stores.

The high-tech centre, which operates 24 hours a day throughout the year, will analyse thousands of hours of CCTV footage to target shoplifters and protect staff from violence. Security operators have been assigned responsibility for monitoring specific groups of stores across the UK.

Emma Sparrock, UK security operations centre lead at Tesco, described the initiative as transformative: "This is a huge step forward, and we're feeling motivated and ready for the new challenges ahead. Our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our colleagues and customers has never been stronger."

The Daventry facility represents just one element of Tesco's comprehensive security strategy, which also includes equipping staff with bodyworn cameras, installing protective screens, and implementing door entry systems at store entrances.

According to the British Retail Consortium's 2024 crime survey, retailers are losing £1.8 billion per year due to customer theft. The security hub will share intelligence and collaborate with police forces throughout the country to help address this issue.

A Tesco spokesman told The Grocer: "Our colleagues work hard to serve our customers every day, and every member of our team deserves to feel safe at work. We continue to invest in the latest technology, resources and training for our expert team in our security hub. This team is dedicated to joining up evidence and supporting the police to tackle crime, helping to keep our colleagues and customers safe."

Last year, Ken Murphy, chief executive officer at Tesco, stated that the retailer was spending tens of millions of pounds on "necessary measures" to fight crime but warned that "they are still not enough." Tesco has been at the forefront of calls for increased government and police action to address retail crime.

In July, Tesco welcomed the government's commitment to make attacking or abusing a shopworker a standalone offence, with Murphy commenting: "Retail colleagues are the backbone of the everyday economy and they deserve to feel safe at work. It is right that the government, police and business come together to collectively send the strongest signal that these crimes will not be tolerated."

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