A discount retail chain is stepping up the battle against store theft by displaying pictures of suspected shoplifters in shop windows and on its website -(Good for them)
Home Bargains has introduced a new hardline approach to in-store theft by launching an online campaign to identify suspected shoplifters, as well as putting posters of the suspects up in stores.
The retail chain, which has 190 stores countrywide, estimates that shop theft costs it an estimated pounds 6 million a year and says it is determined to crack down on the criminals. -( £6M?, you would have to win at least 12 sexual/racial harassment claims to make anything like that kind of money)
But Simon Davies, director of the human rights organisation Privacy International, said: 'You can't just bring your own system of vigilante justice. -(If it works, why not?)
'The whole exercise is wrong-footed legally, it flouts the entire justice system.- (A bit like the Human Rights Act then)
Mr Davies said the company was potentially libeling the people shown in the photos, and that those identified could also bring action under data protection laws. He said that if company bosses think they can prove guilt through CCTV images then 'they must know better than the High Court'.
'The High Court has already said that convictions using CCTV are unsafe because there are too many flaws in the footage,' - (I'll remember that next time I get caught on a speed camera)
The naming and shaming aspect also contravenes Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. -(Or more likely a fair £80 fixed penalty ticket..)
If the Human Rights 'experts' try and take it further, it will be interesting to see what comes of this...
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We have just implemented this today and started putting shoplifters images in our window.
ReplyDeleteI called the information commissioner who deals with data protection and CCTV and they say it is legal to do and there will be no comebacks providing we are 100% sure the person stole something and we have CCTV footage to prove it. The images also have to be very clear so that nobody is mistaken in a photo.
Also we are not libelling them as we have not put on the photos that they have stolen anything, only asking for information as to who they are.
I hope this plan works for us. We are a small independent store and cannot continue to support the scummy thieves in their actions. Hopefully it may deter others aswell.
Becky,
ReplyDeleteWell said. Years ago most of the shops in the town had a 'rogues gallery' of villain's photographs in their security offices. Some provided by the Police and some were video stills captured on the shop CCTV.
Even if it did not stop shoplifting, it helped with the identifications. If the manager can tell the Police who has run out of the shop, there is a better chance of catching said thief with the goods on him/her
Aha just discovered that you have a blog Mr Blueknight, and that you are indeed an old sweat. Just popping in to say hello and will pop back again soon. Nice one.
ReplyDelete