Woolworths has revealed a raft of new security measures that could be rolled out across their stores in a bid to combat rampant shoplifting.
A woman has been led out of a Woolworths in Darwin by security after she allegedly verbally abused a staff member.
The supermarket giant is trialling automatic gates and new hi-tech sensors at some stores across the country that would stop shoplifters dead in their tracks.
Woolworths has installed controversial new security technology to combat shoplifting. Picture: Supplied / Channel 7
Using rooftop sensors, cameras would track customers as they leave self-serve registers.
If they identify someone hasn’t paid for their items or just attempts to leave, automatic gates at the front of the store would stay closed and block their exit.
In a demonstration to 7 News, Woolworths spokesman Mark van den Bosch showed how the gates remained shut when he tried to take goods he hadn’t paid for out of the store.
Woolworths spokesman Mark van den Bosch demonstrated how the new security measures worked using rooftop sensors to track customers from the checkout to the door. Picture: Supplied / Channel 7
“We’ve seen an increased activity of non-paying customers,” Mr van den Bosch said.
Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveals retail theft was up 23 per cent in the last two years to December 2022.
The new sensor tech follows what the supermarket says is an increase in shoplifting across its Australian stores. Picture: Supplied / Channel 7
It follows large declines during 2020-21 from the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, BOCSAR said crime volumes for retail theft were returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Woolworths’ new measures are in addition to the drastic announcement that customers would be filmed at self-serve checkouts as part of new security updates.
The trial, which began at Seven Hills in Sydney’s west last year but then expanded to hundreds of stores along the east coast, was to stop “accidental” wrong scans in case people were trying to scan expensive items as cheaper ones.
