AI tech could 'ban every shoplifter'

"GAME-CHANGING" artificial intelligence tech that dramatically reduced shoplifting in New Zealand could transform the UK's fight against its retail crime epidemic.

- By Paul Jeeves

The Home Office has already been briefed on the pioneering Auror system, which would enable prolific offenders to be barred from every store in the UK.

It could also help police bring a prosecution as part of plans to create the first national database of repeat thieves.

Stores including M&S, Morrisons, Boots, Tesco, Primark and Greggs are already submitting CCTV, photos and personal information to the system.

The shared data enables stores and police to “join the dots” to identify prolific offenders, gather evidence for prosecutions and provide shop security staff with photo watchlists to bar them entry.

Just 5% of shoplifting is reported to forces, meaning thousands of habitual thieves are dropping below the radar and escaping prosecution - amid record levels of store theft. Investigators believe targeting the top 10% could cut store thefts by as much as 70%.

The Auror system - pioneered in New Zealand under former prime minister Jacinda Ardern - is now deployed in 98% of that nation's stores.

It is credited with slashing shoplifting rates and saving police investigation time equal to employing an extra 450 officers.