The cameras, which have already been rolled out to Tesco store staff, act as a deterrent and have been shown in the retailer’s trials to reduce serious incidents against drivers by 50%. The cameras will only be turned on if a driver feels unsafe. Tesco decided to proceed with a wider distribution following a successful trial in Hull, which reduced serious incidents significantly.
Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO, said: “Nobody should have to face verbal or physical abuse at work, and the rollout of body-worn cameras will help us protect our drivers, deter would-be offenders and reduce the number of serious incidents. The safety of our customers and colleagues will always be our first priority and we are making significant investments to make sure we lead the way in tackling retail crime and ensure everyone feels safe whenever they shop with Tesco.”
As part of its efforts to keep staff safe, Usdaw and Tesco have welcomed the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, and particularly the introduction of a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker. Tesco will continue to make the case for online delivery drivers to be included in the scope of the offence, particularly as they work alone without the protection that comes with being in a store.
This would bring the law in England and Wales into line with Scotland, where delivery drivers are within the scope of the offence and reported cases have fallen compared to the rest of the UK – with a reduction of 60 per cent in serious incidents and a 37 per cent reduction in verbal abuse.
Ashwin continued: “No retailer can tackle this issue alone and that’s why we welcome the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill and encourage them to go further - sending a message to offenders by extending the standalone offence to cover online delivery drivers.”
Tesco has invested tens of millions of pounds in safety measures over the last four years, including investing at its highest-ever rates in security officers, the recent refurbishment of its Security Hub in Daventry, and in other practical measures including body-worn cameras, protective screens and door entry systems.
The company has engaged closely with its delivery driver colleagues and responded to their request for additional technology to help them feel safe while out on deliveries. Plans are in development for a wider rollout to further delivery sites in 2026.
Daniel Adams, National Officer for the trade union Usdaw, said: "Usdaw regularly engages with Tesco on its ongoing efforts to protect retail workers from the continued threat of abuse and violence.
“Our Customer Delivery Driver Reps have consistently pointed out that this is an issue that extends beyond stores, with drivers being particularly vulnerable. Therefore, this investment in bodycams is to be welcomed given the clear evidence that they significantly reduce the risks of abuse and violence for those that wear them.
“This is also why the Union is reiterating its call on the Government to ensure home delivery drivers are included in the new standalone offence for assaulting retail workers as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. No worker should face the risk of threats, abuse and violence in doing their job and we must all do everything that we can to ensure all workplaces are healthy and safe.”
In September, Tesco gave all its UK colleagues free access to a personal safety app that can track their journeys and help them to raise the alarm if they don’t feel safe. The introduction of the app follows feedback from colleagues who said they sometimes felt unsafe travelling to and from work. It helps address situations such as walking in an unfamiliar area late at night, facing aggression on the night bus or tube after a night out or using a private taxi alone. If they choose to download the app, colleagues can get 24/7 protection, whether commuting for work or going about their personal life. By setting their destination and mode of transport before travelling, the app can automate welfare checks on their mobile to ensure they feel safe and allow them to raise an SOS alert if needed.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Usdaw survey of over 300 retail home delivery drivers working mainly in the grocery sector; and employed by a range of companies including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Asda, Morrisons and Iceland; found that in the last twelve months:
• 77% had been a victim of abuse.
• 13% were assaulted.
• 26% had refused a delivery due to fear for their own personal safety.
Abuse is not part of the job for delivery drivers: www.usdaw.org.uk/430
Crime and Policing Bill 2025: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3938
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion