Union welcomes initiatives to protect retail staff

The Co-op in Ravenswood was targeted in a knifepoint robbery last week by armed thieves, while the store in Clapgate Lane has been raided by balaclava-clad men twice this year. 

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has welcomed the Co-op's efforts to protect its staff from dangerous incidents, saying shoplifting was not a "victimless crime".

The Ravesnwood Co-op was robbed in late September (Image: Newsquest) Lee Hammond, head of internal security for the East of England Co-op, said there is a 24/7 security team in place who monitor CCTV cameras on all sites.

Head of security for the East of England Co-op Lee Hammond (Image: Newsquest) He added there are regular visits from retail support officers, with a total of 2,499 visits so far this year, as they offer support during investigation of crimes in stores.

Mr Hammond said: “All our stores are fitted with a Smart Safe. Cash is immediately deposited to the Smart Safe, it can only be accessed by our cash collection partner.

“Each of our stores is equipped with body-worn cameras, to help capture any evidence should an incident occur.

“We’ve also provided our food store colleagues with headsets, so they can remain in contact with each other at all times.”

There have been many convictions for shoplifting in Co-op stores this year.

“This year so far, we’ve helped secure sentences totalling 1,276 weeks of imprisonment, including suspended sentences, 11 years' worth of criminal behaviour orders and over 162 weeks of community orders,” Mr Hammond said.

Mr Lillis added: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

“Usdaw is always working with retail employers to improve safety in stores and we welcome the initiatives they take to protect their staff.”

Councillor Ruman Muhith, who represents Ravenswood, previously called the robbery of the Co-op "outrageous".

Councillor Ruman Muhith (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "It is a serious offence and I’m shocked that this would happen in Ipswich.

"If caught they should be punished to the full extent of the law and they need to be made examples of, whether or not the prisons are full.”