Morrisons ‘RoboCop’ style security cameras trial has sparked a backlash among some shoppers who claim the new devices have left them feeling “like a criminal”.
The supermarket chain has deployed the portable CCTV devices along its alcohol aisle as part of its plan to tackle the rise in retail shoplifting.
The four-legged devices are called Safer Pod S1 and have features such as a 360-degree HD camera view, are remotely controlled and have a 120db siren system.
Originally designed as a security measure in empty warehouses, the cameras have become the latest initiatives installed by a retailer in the battle against a ‘shoplifting epidemic‘.
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However, Morrisons shoppers took to social media to voice their dislike of the supermarket’s new cameras with one user claiming it made him “feel like a criminal”.
Mark Powlett wrote on X, “Wow Morrisons how welcoming Robocop feels. I’m typing this as I wait for the one member of staff covering all the self service tills. I’m also being filmed there because actually paying staff to work when you can just make customers feel like criminals is lovely isn’t it?
Wow @Morrisons how welcoming Robocop feels. I’m typing this as I wait for the one member of staff covering all the self service tills.
I’m also being filmed there because actually paying staff to work when you can just make customers feel like criminals is lovely isn’t it? pic.twitter.com/DgdYk42uhT— Mark Powlett (@Markonair) January 8, 2024
In response to a comment from Morrisons, Powlett added: “There is literally nothing you can say that would make me think this is an acceptable way to treat customers. There’s less and less staff. We serve ourselves, wait an age for the one poor person helping to approve purchases and now this. It’s awful.”
One user described the move as a “panopticon society” while another commented: “All the big supermarkets are starting to feel like a hostile environment where every customer is a suspected thief. It’s not pleasant to shop in these places.”
Morrisons told Grocery Gazette, “We launched the Safer Pod 1 initiative in a handful of our stores over the Christmas period and we are currently reviewing the results. The aim of this was to deter crime while also helping to ensure the safety of our colleagues and customers.”
Last year, Morrisons unveiled a series of measures to tackle the surge in retail crime, including the introduction of optional staff worn body cameras and a fleet of CCTV vans.
