Tesco has launched a comprehensive Guarding Transformation Programme to strengthen security measures across its stores. With over 400 security incidents occurring daily in UK retail locations, according to the British Retail Consortium, Tesco has taken decisive action by implementing new security protocols, investing in officer training, and deploying cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and incident response.

With a vast network of over 2,800 stores across the UK, Tesco required a robust, nationwide communication solution to facilitate seamless coordination between store security personnel and mobile security teams. The objective was to enhance real-time communication and significantly improve response times to security threats.

To meet this challenge, Tesco partnered with DTS Solutions to trial the Entel DN495 radios. After an extensive 18-month trial involving 800 devices, Tesco committed to a full-scale rollout, placing an order for over 3,000 DN495 radios for nationwide deployment. This investment underscores Tesco’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to enhance security operations.

The DN495 radios enable instantaneous communication between security officers, store colleagues, mobile security teams, and regional control rooms. This real-time information-sharing capability allows staff to alert nearby stores about abusive customers, shoplifting incidents, and other security threats, leading to a marked improvement in incident response times.

Given Tesco’s regional security structure, the DN495 radios are configured to communicate within their designated regions, while also connecting with mobile security teams, control rooms, and the national network. Entel’s control room dispatchers provide multi-channel monitoring, emergency call oversight, real-time user location mapping, and geofencing, ensuring seamless communication without dead zones.

The DN495 radio system empowers store security teams with an instant emergency alert feature, allowing them to swiftly notify mobile security units and control rooms in crisis situations. This direct, high-speed response mechanism has significantly improved safety for both employees and customers.

The Entel DN495 radios offer an array of industry-leading safety features, including an emergency button, lone worker protection, man-down alerts, full-duplex emergency call monitoring, and GPS location tracking. With practically unlimited range, multiple communication channels, and simultaneous call capability, this highly scalable system not only meets Tesco’s current security needs but is also equipped to evolve with future demands. The multi-profile cellular connectivity—powered by four UK networks—ensures unparalleled network redundancy and resilience, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring consistent connectivity, even in the event of cellular network outages.

Daniel Frith, Sales Director at DTS Solutions, commented on the deployment: “DTS has been proud to support Tesco and their Guarding Service Providers, such as Carlisle Support Services, with this innovative solution. This is undoubtedly one of the largest PoC radio rollouts in the world, demonstrating Tesco’s commitment to security excellence.”

By investing in state-of-the-art communication technology, prioritising employee and customer safety, and collaborating with trusted security partners, Tesco has set a new benchmark for security within the retail industry. The successful nationwide deployment of Entel DN495 radios showcases how technology-driven security solutions can enhance operational effectiveness and incident response across an extensive retail network.