Co-op rolls out handheld forensic spray to curb violent crime

Co-op has become the first major supermarket to introduce a new forensic spray designed to deter attacks and assaults on shop workers.

The SmartTag handheld spray contains a unique SmartWater forensic signature which provides evidence for the police to act on later.

Co-op said the technology will only be used by specially trained security officers in the most extreme circumstances.

Detective Superintendent Lee Berry, who launched a pilot with security guards with South Yorkshire Police, said: “Our aim was to create a deterrent for door staff to diffuse violent incidents before they escalated. 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.”

Trials in South Yorkshire have already shown SmartTag to calm potentially violent incidents, and stop them from escalating, the retailer added.

“No one should have to face violence just for doing their job, and we are doing everything we can to protect them,” Andrew Needham, Co-op head of retail loss and security, said.

He reiterated the calls for more serious sentences for assaults against retail workers.

“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 shop workers with stiffer penalties and sentencing for those convicted to send out a clear message that violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour is not acceptable,” Needham.

The forensic spray technology is used by security officers in around 400 Co-op stores, and can be moved to different locations based on the latest intelligence or need.

SmartWater is compliant with the requirements of the government’s Forensic Science Regulator and is admissible as evidence in court.

Co-op is also set to more than double the number of stores where colleagues wear body-worn cameras this year. Over 550 stores are expected to use the technology which can send real-time audio and visual footage to Security Operation Centre at the push of a button.