Retailer Fights Rising Crime with Advanced Tech and Legal Action

  • Co-op fights £40m shoplifting losses with AI-powered security
  • Incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour increased by 44% last year
  • AI technology installed in 14 Co-op stores to detect unpaid items or concealed weapons
  • Over £200m spent on safety measures in recent years
  • Attacking or abusing a shopworker will be made a standalone offence

The Co-op retailer has invested £18m this year in security measures to protect its staff, including body-worn cameras and fortified kiosks. AI technology is being installed in 14 stores to detect shoplifters and concealed weapons. Shoplifting incidents increased by 44% last year, with police attending only 21% of detained cases. The Co-op supports the government’s plan to make attacking or abusing a shopworker a standalone offense.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and relevant information about the increase in shoplifting incidents and the measures taken by the retailer to protect staff. It also mentions the government’s plan to make attacking or abusing a shopworker a standalone offense. However, there is some repetition of information and a brief mention of unrelated news at the end.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the increase in shoplifting incidents and the measures taken by retailers to protect their staff, but it also includes an unrelated mention of Frasers Group ramping up its roll out of department stores which may not be directly related to the main topic.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The retail industry and specific companies mentioned (Co-op, Tesco)
Financial Rating Justification: This article discusses the increase in shoplifting incidents and their impact on retailers’ financials, as well as the measures taken by Co-op to address the issue. It also mentions the potential changes in law that could affect the industry.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk www.retailsector.co.uk