Mini koala simply certainly one of Tesco’s 40 loopy anti-steal units to catch shoplifters

Anti-theft boffins employed by Tesco’s are working on up to 40 anti-pilfering devices designed to halt Britain’s shoplifting epidemic.

Last week we reported Sekura Global’s Invisishield sliding shelf panels were being deployed to halt thefts of low value high risk goods such as coffee, laundry items, chocs and deodorants.

Now researchers for the Daily Star Sunday can reveal a series of innovations developed by the Essex-based firm are being offered to stores such as Tesco with scores more in the pipeline.

A blurb on the firm’s website boasts: “With more than 40 new products in development, it’s fair to say we don’t hold back when it comes to solution innovation.

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“Working with global retailers to come up with bespoke solutions is just what we do well.”

Current innovations include the MegaLoc system which boffins at the company say deters thieves as the tags are “virtually impossible to remove by force or common detachers”

The MegaLoc system is described as a “unique mega strength magnetic detacher system, not obtainable on the open market”.

Chiefs say their tech reduces shrinkage by 67% and helps increase sales by 20% according to average results shared by five major global retailers.

Other tech solutions by the firm – who boast of “pack(ing) a bigger punch in the fight against retail theft” – includes protection against the theft of sunglasses.

They boast of their “Eyewear Tag” being, “The world’s most secure designer frame protection device. In fact, the only one that works.”

A blurb adds: “A simple, twist-on, tool free application with patented torque mechanism makes life easy for store teams.”

The firm’s “SlideTag” is described as a, “groundbreaking all-in-one security tag designed with safety in mind”.

While the “ArcTag” for clothing is sold as an, “original concept tag (that) uses a curved needle pin locking mechanism to allow the tagging of a wide range of garment thicknesses that go beyond standard one-piece tags”.

“Mini LynxLoc” tags are described as ideal for “protecting merchandise without detracting from display appeal due to its compact size” including products such as cookware.

While the self-retracting “BoxGrip” tag is billed as the “world’s number one solution for protecting boxed products in store” including a larger version which protects “TV’s, boilers and boxed lawnmowers”.

Other tagging solutions include more specialist protection for alcohol, food, box, hanging pack and clothing items.

For example the “Mini Koala” tag is billed as a barrier against “hardened thieves” as its “double-lock mechanism” means the “tag is secured even before the button is pushed in”.

The firm also vows to protect baby formula products such as Aptamil, steak and other food items.

The “BeltTag” is sold as an “effective and flexible solution to protect infant formula canned goods and products from theft”.

While the “Baby Milk Clear Cap” lets off an alarm “in the event of unauthorized removal from the store”.

Other tags are on offer to protect razors and electronics including phones, chargers and headphones.

Graham Wynn, the assistant director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said £1.8bn a year was lost to shop theft.

He added: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

“Retailers are forced to spend £1.2bn a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and anti-theft devices.”