Pret A Manger staff in London trial wearing body-worn cameras to boost safety

Cafe chain Pret A Manger has introduced body-worn cameras for some staff members.

The measure is being trialled at six branches across London, the chain confirmed on Saturday.

Pret says the cameras will not be constantly running, and will only be turned on in certain circumstances.

The footage will only be available to Pret security staff.

“Last month, we started trialling body-worn cameras in a small number of our shops as a new safety measure,” said a spokesperson.

“These are only being worn by Team Leaders or Managers, and are only turned on in specific circumstances.”

The body-worn cameras are being used at six shops in London: 173 Victoria St, Elephant Castle, 252 Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, St Pancras, and Islington High Street.

Pret says signs has been put up in the relevant shops to tell customers about the trial.

The move comes amid a huge rise in shoplifting, and in violence against shop staff.

A report by the Liberal Democrats in June said shoplifting in London had soared almost 80 per cent in three years, amid an “epidemic” of the crime.