Morrisons is planning a significant revamp by early 2026 to tackle a key issue impacting both employees and customers at its 500 supermarkets. The decision follows a successful trial aimed at deterring criminal activity.
According to reports from The Grocer, Morrisons intends to implement a new crime reporting technology system, developed by retail intelligence company Auror, in all its UK supermarkets. This technology, already in use at various stores like Holland & Barrett, M&S, Home Bargains, and Boots, operates based on shared intelligence.
The new system will digitize the process of recording and reporting crimes in stores, allowing staff to input details such as CCTV images, stolen goods inventory, and any instances of threatening behavior. The goal is to introduce this system throughout all Morrisons branches to ensure uniformity and consolidate data for better trend analysis on criminal activities.
Morrisons trialed the technology in select Midlands supermarkets earlier this year, with positive results. The trial revealed that repeat offenders often targeted multiple stores, and the technology provided security staff with real-time intelligence to enhance store protection and discourage criminal behavior.
Previously, Morrisons store teams recorded crime incidents independently, resulting in inconsistent data collection across locations. The new system has led to improved information sharing, enhanced safety measures, and successful prosecutions of offenders in the Midlands.
Morrisons CEO, Rami Baitiéh, emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to collaborate with law enforcement in combating in-store crimes for the safety of employees, customers, and communities. The company’s collaboration with Auror aims to improve colleague safety without resorting to facial recognition technology or collecting sensitive personal information.
Mark Gleeson, Auror VP for UK and Europe, highlighted the rising challenge of crime and violence in retail settings and expressed the company’s commitment to reducing violent retail crime by partnering with retailers like Morrisons. The goal is to enhance colleague safety and create safer environments for stores and communities across the UK.
By joining forces with Auror, Morrisons aims to play a vital role in improving security measures, reducing crime, and protecting frontline workers and communities from violence and criminal activities in retail settings.