Harrods has been training staff to intervene if shoppers are sexually harassed, in response to rising violence against women in public spaces.
The luxury retailer said a policy was introduced last year for all employees to receive compulsory training on the issue, The Telegraph reported.
Harrods now has a network of around 50 specially trained employees across various departments who are equipped to respond to allegations of harassment sensitively.
All staff must take an online course on how to recognise sexual harassment and how to take action if they see any type of harassment or inappropriate behaviour.
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This new training is part of a broader trend among businesses taking action to address the rise in public attacks on women.
Recent data from the British Transport Police found the number of violent attacks on women and girls on the UK rail network has risen by 50% in the last two years, from 7,651 recorded incidents in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023.
While earlier this year, the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales reached a new 20-year peak.
A total of 443,995 offences were reported by police forces in the year leading up to March 2024, marking a 30% increase from the 342,428 incidents logged in the previous year.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), this figure is the highest since records started in March 2003.
In its most recent financial year, Harrods reported its highest turnover on record as it raked in nearly £900m of sales.
Sales for the retailer covering its Knightsbridge flagship and online operations jumped 8% to £898.4m in the 53 weeks to 3 February, up from £831.6m.
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