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Woolworths stores across New Zealand are introducing body cameras for staff to wear to help keep people safe.
The body-worn cameras will be implemented across all stores this week as part of the supermarket giant's investment into security and safety measures.
The decision came after Woolworth's stores across NZ saw a 75 per cent increase in physical assaults and 148 per cent increase in serious reportable events in the last three years.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the retailer, said it was also continuing to progress with other security and safety measures including anti sweep shelves, push to talk radios and trolley lock systems now in 50 stores.
Woolworths New Zealand director of stores, Jason Stockill, said in a statement it was concerning these measures have had to be put in place, but good to see security strengthened in stores.
"Our team deserves to feel safe coming to work every day and what they're dealing with is unacceptable. While 99 per cent of people walking through our door are great and treat our team well, every day our team across the country are still experiencing instances of abuse and aggression from shoplifters and other offenders," Mr Stockill said.
The rollout of the body worn cameras is part of Woolworths New Zealand's three year, $NZD45 million ($41million) investment programme for security measures, across all stores.
In a statement, Woolworths NZ said the cameras would only be turned on during a "security incident" and footage from the cameras wouldn't be released unless it was requested by police, for an investigation.
Staff are required to inform the customers before they start recording them with the body worn cameras.
The supermarket giant also said it was looking at introducing other measures to strengthen its security in stores.
Over the next few months, Woolworths NZ stores will also be installing new secure knife cabinets in produce, deli, butchery and bakery departments to reduce their visibility and accessibility to potential offenders.
Woolworths Australia puts precautions in place
In December 2023, Woolworths Australia reported there had been more than 2,000 acts of violence and abuse across stores since July 1.
In a statement released in December, the retailer said an average of 420 assaults per month, were reported from Woolworths Supermarkets, Metro Stores and BIG W, since July 2023 across stores in Australia.
The retail giant said these reports were a rise of 50 per cent compared to the same time in 2022.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said in December, it was confronting that team members are being treated this way while simply trying their best to do their job.
"I can't stress enough that 99 per cent of our customers are amazing and always treat our team with respect, but unfortunately in the post COVID-era we've seen a significant rise in the number of people walking through our doors who act aggressively — and sometimes violently," Mr Banducci said.
In the statement from December, Woolworths said it had invested $40 million on CCTV upgrades, team safety cameras, headsets and personal duress devices across stores in Australia to keep staff safe.