Asda trials face recognition tech that tracks shoppers

Technology to be used to combat shoplifting epidemic’

- BARNEY DAVIS

Asda has launched a live facial recognition trial that will track shoppers walking down its aisles.

The two-month pilot of the new technology that police use to monitor protests and large crowds comes as retailers say they are facing an “epidemic of retail crime”.

It launched this week at Asda stores in Ashton, Chadderton, Harpurhey, Eastlands and Trafford Park in Greater Manchester after the supermarket recorded 1,400 staff were assaulted last year – an average of four assaults on staff per day.

The facial recognition technology has been integrated into Asda’s existing CCTV network and scans images of shoppers comparing the results to a known list of people who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site, the supermarket said.

If a match is found by the automated system, in a matter of seconds a member of the Asda head office security team can report a suspect to the store in real time.