A popular high street retailer is giving workers bodycams to protect against what is being described as a dramatic surge in shoplifting and abuse.

Primark are one of the first retailers to be offering bodycams to their workers, amid the rise of crime in store which is said to be fuelled by a social media trend.

It comes as a string of retail bosses, including Tesco, have warned of the crime trend and demanded more action from police and prosecutors.  

The Slough store is one of the Primark's making moves to tackle abuse and shoplifting.

A Primark spokesperson said: “Like many retailers, we are seeing an increase in shoplifting across our stores.

"Our chief concern is that we want and expect our stores to be safe and enjoyable places for our colleagues and customers.

"We’re investing in additional security measures to address this. These include body-worn cameras for security guards and managers, increasing the number of security guards in store and additional CCTV.

"Fundamental change however will be driven at industry and societal level and we are working closely with other retailers, police and local authorities and we welcome and call for further collaborative action to tackle this together as an urgent priority.”

Since January 2023, the Observatory Shopping Centre has seen 26 instances of shoplifting reported to the police according to police.uk.

In most cases, Thames Valley has been unable to identify the suspect or haven't been able to prosecute them.

Ten instances of anti-social behaviour and six instances of violence and sexual offences have been reported in the same area since January 2023.

Earlier this year, two 18-year-old men were stabbed in the Observatory Shopping Centre in an "unprovoked but not random" attack which was caught on CCTV.

Three teenagers have since pleaded guilty to the attack - which demonstrates the importance of surveillance in the centre.

READ MORE: Trial collapses as teens admit to stabbing two others in 'unprovoked attack'

Slough BID manager, Clarissa Parker agrees with the move to issue bodycams to shopworkers.

Clarissa said: "Having read and taken note of many issues which retailers across the sector are experiencing throughout the UK, I think that having staff wear body-worn cameras is a protective and de-escalation measure for incidents and retailers.

"It is well documented that by wearing a BWC situations can be diffused easily.  When incidents or situations of abuse to staff are caught on camera, either the protagonist can see their actions and realise their behaviour is not appropriate or if shoplifting occurrences are taking place there is no ambiguity of the evidence submitted."

Currently, Slough BID employ Town Wardens who work with all retailers to advise of potential shoplifters and persons of concern to pre-empt incidents from taking place in the town centre.

"The Town Centre retailers and BID always welcome police patrols in the town centre and note that having a strong police presence in the Town can provide a necessary assurance to the public, businesses and retailers," added Clarissa.