Asda launches facial recognition in battle on shoplifters and thugs in these 5 shops
More than 1,400 incidents of assault took place against store colleagues in Asda last year – an average of four per day – so the shop is trailing live facial recognition to catch suspects
Asda is trialling a live facial recognition system in five of its major shops to help combat the rise retail crime.
The popular store has launched a two-month trial of FaiceTech technology at the following Greater Manchester shops:
- Eastlands
- Harpurhey
- Trafford Park
- Ashton
- Chadderton
The announcement comes after more than 1,400 incidents of assault took place against store colleagues last year, an average of four per day. The tech is integrated into the shop’s existing CCTV network and works by scanning images and comparing the results to a list of known individuals who have previously committed offences in Asda sites.
If the system detects a match, a member of the retailer’s head office security team will conduct a check and tell the store.
Asda chief commercial officer for non-food and retail Liz Evans said: “The rise in shoplifting and threats and violence against shopworkers in recent years is unacceptable and as a responsible retailer we have to look at all options to reduce the number of offences committed in our stores and protect our colleagues.
“We consistently look for new ways to improve the security in our stores and this trial will help us understand if facial recognition technology can reduce the number of incidents and provide greater protection to everybody in our stores.”
The supermarket is consulting more than 26 members of staff in its customer service team as it looks to outsource their roles to cut costs.
Results of the new system will be assessed before a decision is taken on whether to extend the trial or roll it out to other locations.
The BRC trade body said there are more than 2,000 violent and abusive incidents against shopworkers every day, which has tripled since 2020.
Police recorded 492,914 shop theft offences for the year ending September 2024, amounting to a year-on-year increase of 23%.
The government’s Crime and Policing Bill, published in February, introduces a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker which will have a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and/or an unlimited fine.
Upon first conviction, courts are to impose a criminal behaviour order.
The bill will also remove the perceived immunity granted to shop theft of goods of £200 or less.
The British Retail Consortium Crime Report of this year showed there were around 737,000 incidents of violence and abuse in 2023-24 up from 475,000 in the previous survey.
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