Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker has said he will “take the rap” if staff face prosecution for sharing images of individuals caught stealing on local WhatsApp groups.
The boss of the frozen food retailer said that he told employees to post such images, despite what he described as “stupid” data protection laws that prevent retailers from sharing images of shoplifters caught stealing, The Times reported.
Walker has since called on the government to change the laws to allow these images and videos to be shared, claiming they can help to stop prolific shoplifters.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
He told Woburn Partners’ Lessons in Leadership podcast: “We are fighting with one hand tied behind our backs.
“When these images are on your CCTV … it’s absolutely proven. There’s no denying. You watch someone pick something up, put it under their coat or whatever they do, and walk out or become aggressive to store staff if they’re stopped.
“Obviously you’d like to absolutely share those images. I’ve told my colleagues to do it anyway and I take the rap if there’s a problem. It’s a stupid law.”
A spokesman for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said: “Data protection law enables retailers to share images to prevent or detect crime as long as it’s necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.
“Retailers will need to consider the relevant privacy implications such as having a legal reason and appropriate security measures when considering publishing any images of suspected shoplifters.”
They added: “Any retailer that is using or sharing information to prevent or detect crime and isn’t sure how to do this in a compliant way, can contact us for advice or find guidance on our website.”
It comes as the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales hit its highest figure in 20 years.
Last month, home secretary Yvette Cooper pledged to “end the shameful neglect” of shoplifting by the police as punishments have plummeted over the past year.
According to The Times analysis of official figures from the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and police forces, just 431 shoplifters were given fixed penalty notices in the year to March 2024 – a fall of 98% from 19,419 issued 10 years ago.
1 Comment. Leave new
Good on him, wish more people acted like this.