Sainsbury’s has started an eight-week pilot of facial recognition systems in two stores as part of efforts to address a surge in retail crime.
The trial is being carried out in branches in London and Bath using technology supplied by Facewatch, a provider already used by several UK retailers.
Shoplifting has increased significantly over the past year, with more than 530,000 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March — a rise of 20% compared with the previous year, according to official statistics.
Under the scheme, facial recognition will be deployed to identify individuals suspected of theft, violence or abusive behaviour. Images that do not match reports of offenders will be deleted immediately, the company said.
Sainsbury’s operates more than 1,400 stores nationwide, meaning a successful trial could see the technology expanded across its network.
The initiative has divided opinion. Privacy advocates argue that the use of facial recognition in supermarkets is intrusive and should be subject to stronger safeguards, while trade unions and retail groups have welcomed measures aimed at improving staff safety.
The government has said it is reviewing new protections for retail workers as part of its wider response to rising shop crime.
