UK Shoplifting and Violence Against Shop Workers Continues to Rise

Around a year ago, I wrote a blog post discussing the significant increase in recorded and reported shoplifting incidents. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved. It is deeply disturbing to hear about the growing number of cases where shop workers face threats, but even more shocking is the level of aggression and violence we now see being committed. 

Just last week, the BBC reported on what is now being referred to as "kamikaze shoplifting," where offenders brazenly clear shelves in full view of customers and shop staff. A jaw-dropping video accompanying the report demonstrated the complete disregard these offenders have for being seen or recognised. 

What Can Be Done? 

This is a complex issue requiring action from all stakeholders who hold any level of responsibility or influence. One relatively straightforward solution is to leverage technology. 

Our face recognition technology is, without question, among the most advanced on the market. Time and again, head-to-head tests have confirmed its superior accuracy. In cases such as those shown in the BBC footage, the images of offenders would be sufficient for our system to recognise them with remarkable precision. While other face recognition providers may be less capable, our solution can issue alerts within milliseconds of these individuals appearing within the camera view if they attempt to enter premises from which they are legally barred. Naturally, this must be conducted with strict adherence to data privacy regulations. 

Project Pegasus 

The police launched Project Pegasus over a year ago to enhance coordination and facilitate legitimate data sharing. Some forces now use face recognition technology in mobile vans, but unlike the offenders targeting retail stores, these vans are far from ubiquitous. For the system to be truly effective, face recognition must become as commonplace as traditional CCTV. Otherwise, offenders will simply target locations without facial recognition, knowing they can easily escape detection without being recognised. 

Public Concerns 

Public and media concerns about face recognition technology are understandable. As developers of this technology, we sympathise—after all, we are members of the public too, with families we wish to protect from misuse of such tools. However, the technology sector has matured, and regulations governing its use are now much clearer. 

Retailers also share this responsibility. The technology deployed must be highly accurate, and the sensitive personal data it processes must be managed with the strictest controls. At the Face Recognition Company, we have always adhered to these principles and have never been on the wrong side of an investigation. 

We will address this topic further in an upcoming blog post. 

All credits to the BBC for the images used.

Chris Dryden