A growing number of High Street retailers are reportedly choosing to lock their doors and limit customers during business hours to stave off crime and abuse.
The Times reports that bodycare store Aesop has told customers at its shop in Hampstead, north London, that it is “currently operating with locked doors and limited numbers of customers in store for security reasons”.
In Islington, staff at women’s clothing shop Whistles have a sign on the front door, which reads: “Please knock, and a team member will let you in shortly. We are operating a locked door policy.”
Sainsbury’s has used robot guards at some of its stores. (Picture: Andrew Mathews/AP)More than 2,000 daily incidents of violence and abuse were reported across the UK in the year to April 2024, up from 1,300 the year before.
The Times reports that on Hampstead’s high street, thieves smashed the front door of the opticians David Clulow on two separate occasions in January and stole 220 pairs of glasses worth nearly £7,000.
Security guards are also reportedly standing out the front of phone company O2 at some of its stores following a number of thefts.
“This decision has been taken to prioritise the safety of both our employees and our customers, as well as the security of our stock,” O2 said.
Some Sainsbury’s shops require customers to scan their receipt to leave, while Tesco has used robot security guards in some shops outside opening hours, according to The Times.
“Almost half of the retail workers we’ve surveyed told us they currently fear for their safety and nearly two thirds are stressed and anxious going to work due to the unacceptable level of retail crime,” Chris Brook-Carter from the Retail Trust told The Times.
“People are contacting our helpline every day to report horrifying incidents of retail crime, abuse and violence, and many say that they are now at breaking point.”
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