Tesco arms staff with DNA test kits to track abusive customers

Supermarket Tesco has armed its delivery drivers with DNA testing kits to help police trace abusive customers who spit at them.

As reported by The Telegraph, Britain’s biggest supermarket is understood to have provided its delivery drivers with so-called “spit kits” to help police track down people who have assaulted them. Drivers will be able to use the kits if customers turn aggressive and spit at them. The supermarket took the move after some drivers said they had been spat at in altercations when asking customers to provide ID for alcohol. 

The report comes amid mounting concerns over worker safety after the lifting of pandemic restrictions, as attacks on shop staff and delivery drivers soared. As shoplifting as well as abusive behaviors soared, supermarkets and retailers have been forced to spend heavily on extra security measures to protect their staff and stock. 

Last year Tesco started offering every store worker access to a body camera. It has also spent money on protective screens and digital radios to protect workers.

In the 12 months to Aug 31 2023, violence and abuse against staff rose by 50 per cent with the number of cases climbing from 870 to 1,300 a day. Shoplifting has also jumped, with the British Retail Consortium estimating that as much as £2bn in goods could be lost to customer theft in 2024 – double the amount in 2023.

Another BRC survey earlier this year also found that retailers have spent around £1.8bn to tackle crime, investing in measures such as CCTV, security guards and body-worn cameras.