'RoboGreggs' Rolls Out to Tackle Rising Bakery Shoplifting

Greggs is among a growing number of high-street retailers turning to "robocop" devices as they battle rising levels of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

The bakery chain has installed a Safer Pod at a branch in Brixton, south London. The device features chest-level CCTV cameras, 120-decibel sirens and flashing lights, and is monitored remotely around the clock by security guards.

The technology is designed to deter offenders, with its manufacturer, Safer Group, promoting the devices with the slogan: "We make offenders think twice."

Earlier this year, Greggs removed self-service displays and introduced locked fridges at some stores experiencing high levels of crime. It has also trialled "fortress stores" in London, Birmingham and Nottingham, featuring anti-theft counters designed to reduce theft and protect staff.

A Greggs spokesman said in April that the measures were being tested "across a very small number of shops that are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour".

Martyn James, a consumer expert who lives near the Brixton branch, said he had witnessed thieves "blatantly clearing shelves" and throwing objects, including coins, at staff.

He said: "I've seen idiotic members of the public hurling abuse – and objects like coins – at staff.

"We have to invest significantly in policing crime hotspots, tagging and controlling habitual offenders, and clamping down on the very visible problem of drug addicts who fuel a lot of these crime waves.

"After all, these Safer Pods will only work if the understaffed police are able to turn up in time – and the CCTV is used to prosecute offenders."

Official data from the House of Commons Library shows that shoplifting offences in the UK have risen by 133 per cent over the past five years. However, fewer than one in five offences resulted in a charge.

In June, police chiefs revealed that the country's 104 most prolific shoplifters had committed more than 4,000 offences between them over the previous two years.

Retail bosses have warned that the surge in petty theft is putting increasing pressure on businesses and damaging their operations.

Greggs and Boots were contacted for comment.

The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham