Tesco draft in ‘Northern Irish Dalek’ robotic safety guards to scare off robbers

Desperate Tesco bosses have drafted in Dalek-style security guards that threaten thieves in an angry Northern Irish accent – similar to that of an iconic Peaky Blinders character.

Store chiefs have installed PID360 devices made by security boffins Deter Tech at a series of at-risk locations across Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle according to employees.

Dubbed the “Ultimate Deterrent”, the anti-robbery solution “triggers alerts to store managers in just 47 seconds” and helps to prevent “80 per cent of intrusions”.

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The robot-style machines, which have been nicknamed “Daleks” by staff and punters – can also be used in conjunction with Smartwater – a forensic marking solution also produced by the Telford-based firm to catch crooks.

On detecting an intruder the video guard device – used mainly on construction sites and by retailers – omits a 114 decibel “Star Wars-style” warning siren accompanied by flashing lights.

Seconds later a male voice with a heavy Northern Irish accent barks the following message: “Warning, this is security, your presence has been detected the owner and police have been informed.”

A message including a video clip image of the intruder is then sent to a central control room manned by ex-police and military staff who will decide whether to call on-site security, the police or a mobile response team.

People online quickly pointed out the threatening Northern Irish accent used on the devices is almost identical to that deployed by actor Sam Neill in his role as Inspector Campbell on the hit BBC gangster series Peaky Blinders.

The hardline Ulster military man is charged in the series with bringing Peaky Blinders feared gang boss Tommy Shelby and his crew to justice.

Writing on a blog for Tesco staff, one employee said: “That’s a rather ominous northern Irish accent.”

Another added: “Well, its (SIC) job is to deter people….”

With another replying: “Mister Shelby.”

Others added: “I’m from NI and never seen one of these things, but I’m not surprised they’d get a guy from here to do the voice, supposed to be one of most aggressive accents in the English speaking world.”

A Scottish-based staff member said: “And I’m saying it as a guy from near Glasgow. Almost s*** it first time I heard it go off. What I find odd is seeing them in shops. Usually seen them on building sites and such. Always outdoors.”

Another added: “That’s an Armadillo, it’s a mobile CCTV system with motion sensors and audible warnings to scare off people in places you don’t want them to be.

“When you set these off an angry Northern Irish man shouts at you through the speaker.”

A final fan said: “My favourite thing about these is that they have northern Irish accents. I never thought of our accent to be unsettling but I guess they can be to some people lol.”

Staff suggested the devices were being deployed overnight in Tesco Express stores that are usually empty of staff. The move comes after a string of burglaries and break ins at Tesco stores.

Last December a pair of sledgehammer-wielding burglars smashed the window of a Tesco Express store in Bristol and were seen climbing out of a window moments later with boxes of booze.

Also last December money was stolen from a cash register at a Tesco Express outlet in Birkdale in Liverpool after a burglary in the early hours of the morning.

And just last Monday a man was arrested following a theft of cigarettes from a Tesco store in Bristol after an early morning break in involving a smashed window.

Emmeline Taylor, a professor of criminology at City, University of London, said: “Retailers are investing in a range of technologies to not only deter criminals from targeting them but also increase the chances of them being identified after the offence.

“There has been a real emphasis in recent years on new technological ways to link an offender to the offence, and also provide markers on stolen goods that make them traceable long after they have been stolen.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “This photo shows a security device which is used in some stores outside of opening hours, when needed, such as to prevent burglary or following damage to our property.

“The unit should not have been on the shop floor during opening hours.”

Deter Tech were contacted for comment.

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