Morrisons trials new security system but shoppers say they 'feel like criminals'
Morrisons has been accused of making shoppers "feel like criminals" after introducing a new form of CCTV into some stores.
The new CCTV system is the Safer Pod S1s robot from the company Safer Group. The CCTV pods are freestanding stationary devices which are fitted with HD security cameras and sirens which will go off to alert those around if it clocks onto someone trying to steal from the store.
The devices are powered by a solar panel battery and can be moved around the store to problem areas while operated by a control room through an app. The Safer Pod S1s device features the Morrisons logo on the side alongside the statement: "We're keeping an eye on things to keep your store more safe."
Morrisons said it was "trialling" the new CCTV devices in a "handful" of stores over the Christmas period last year and that it was reviewing the results. It did not confirm which stores were trialling the devices and it is not clear whether Morrisons will roll out the CCTV pods to other supermarket stores.
However, some Morrisons customers were not happy with the device. Posting an image to X - formerly Twitter - one X user @Markonair compared the new security system to the 1987 film RoboCop.
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They wrote: “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?”
Morrisons reached out to Mark in a follow up message asking if they were able to assist further, but Mark told the supermarket chain that the new system was an "unacceptable way" to treat its customers. They said: "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."
Mark wasn't the only person who felt this way, with others responding to his post saying: "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."
Another user added: "Supermarkets have de staffed their Stores and then are shocked when they find theft increases so use IT to spy on customers. I used to feel welcome in main stores but now they feel harsh soulless places, No wonder people shop online."
A Morrisons spokesman said: “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."
A spokesman for Safer Group told the Sun: "We have been working alongside Morrisons to trial the Safer POD S1 over the Christmas period. The device is a cutting-edge, intruder detection system to enhance the safety and security of Morrisons' stores. The Safer POD S1 is designed to act as a deterrent to potential shoplifters by providing an additional layer of safety in high-risk areas such as the alcohol aisle.”
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