The Co-op has become the first grocer to arm security guards with a hi-tech “invisible paint” spray to deter violence against shop staff.
It has dished out canisters which mark offenders with a liquid that stays on skin and hair for weeks and can be used as evidence in court.
The forensic tag is invisible in ordinary light but glows brightly under UV lighting and has already proved a successful deterrent in trials in Sheffield.
SmartTag SmartWater sprays will now be used by the Co-op’s Mitie-employed security officers in around 550 stores to diffuse “extreme circumstances” where workers’ safety is under threat from violent offenders or aggressive shoppers.
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The pilot with South Yorkshire police has prevented incidents from escalating and Detective Superintendent Lee Berry, said: “Over 100 canisters were deployed across the county following a successful trial in Sheffield.
“We received great feedback from security staff who said they had diffused situations by warning those involved that they would be forensically marked.”
The use of forensic tagging comes after the number of violent incidents on the shop floor hit record levels with 1,350 attacks suffered by Co-op staff in the first six months of 2020.
Security guards are being given special training before being authorised to use the spray in a move welcomed by the shop workers union Usdaw as an additional safety measure.
Andrew Needham, Co-op head of retail loss and security said: “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our colleagues who work tirelessly to serve communities.
“No one should have to face violence just for doing their job, and we are doing everything we can to protect them.
“As a community retailer we see the impact of social issues in our stores, and alongside the latest technology the root causes of crime in communities must also be addressed.
“That is why we are calling for government to introduce greater protection for shopworkers with stiffer penalties and sentencing for those convicted to send out a clear message that violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour is not acceptable.”
