Persistent shoplifters could be fitted with GPS-tracking ankle tags under new measures being considered by Croydon Council as retailers continue to battle high levels of theft.
The south London council is exploring the use of electronic monitoring for repeat offenders, alongside restrictions that could prevent individuals from entering certain areas of Croydon town centre.
The proposals are being developed with police and technology companies as part of efforts to reduce the impact of retail crime on local businesses.
There were 4,796 reported shop thefts in Croydon town centre during the past 12 months, down slightly from 5,043 a year earlier. However, the council said further action was needed to ease the pressure on retailers.
The plans come amid heightened concern about retail crime across the UK, with the British Retail Consortium estimating that retailers are experiencing around 55,000 theft incidents a day.
Retailers have increasingly turned to technology and additional security measures to protect employees, customers and stock.
These include facial recognition systems capable of identifying suspected repeat offenders, body-worn cameras for employees and security boxes for frequently targeted products.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres is among the retailers using facial recognition technology to tackle theft.
Nathan Wilson, Head of Security at Blue Diamond Garden Centres, said the business had previously experienced shrinkage of around £2 million annually, much of which was attributed to shoplifting.
He said: “Last year we got that down to about £1.3 million. This technology has played a big part in that.”
Other retailers have experimented with GPS technology attached to high-risk products, while security boxes traditionally associated with higher-value goods are increasingly being used to protect everyday items.
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