Pak n’ Save Te Awamutu.
Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu is not among stores trialling body cameras for its staff to combat rising retail crime, a Foodstuffs spokesperson has confirmed.
Amid reports at least one Pak ‘n Save store in Tauranga is using them, The News put several questions to the grocery conglomerate about the rise in crime at its Waipā Pak ‘n Save, New World and Four Square stores.
All Foodstuffs spokesperson Emma Wooster would say was: “I can confirm Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu is not using body cameras.”
However North Island chief executive, Chris Quin was quoted in other media last week as saying there were an “extremely concerning” 3285 incidents of retail crime reported at Foodstuff stores from February to April this year.
That was compared to 2377 incidents in the same quarter last year – a 38 per cent increase.
Quin also referred to a 36 per cent increase in burglary, assault, robbery and other aggressive, violent and threatening behaviour for this year.
He said 36 percent of all crime is undertaken by repeat offenders – and there was a 34 per cent increase in reported repeat offenders.
Shoplifting, meanwhile, was up 57 per cent year on year between February and April with 2541 shoplifting crimes reported. Premium cuts of meat and high-value health and beauty products were among the most targeted items.
