Co-op is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify offenders that have stolen items or with concealed weapons as it continues to grapple the retail crime epidemic.

Yesterday (26 September), the convenience retailer revealed that its losses as a result of crime increased by nearly 20% to £39.5m in the first half of 2024 as it spent £18m over the period on measures to protect its workers.

Having already rolled out fortified kiosks and body-worn cameras, Co-op is also using the AI technology on a trial basis in 14 stores, The Guardian reported.

As well as being able to identify concealed weapons or stolen items, the system, which does not use facial recognition technology, can also recognize if a physical assault against a staff member is taking place, alerting a centralised monitoring station run by Mitie which will request support.

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Co-op managing director of food Matt Hood said: “It isn’t going away. The reality is that every day four of our colleagues are attacked, up 34% on 2022, and scarily, a further 115 of my colleagues will be seriously abused, up 37% on two years ago.

“I would love to sit here and say yes [there would be a drop in the second half of the year] … that all the money we are investing will pay off. But I think it is going to be slightly longer term than that, and that has to be in conjunction with any changes the government makes to the law.”

It comes as Co-op returned to profit following a £33m loss last year, as the retailer hailed “strong” sales across its food stores and online in the first six months of 2024.

Following the positive performance, the grocer unveiled plans to open 120 new stores over the next 18 months as it enters a “more proactive mindset” in growing its food business.