Tesco unveils new ‘ominous’ security robot helping crack down on crime in stores

Tesco has unveiled a new “ominous” security robot that will help detect the presence of thieves, in a bid to tackle the rising wave of shoplifting offences in the UK.

The device, which some have said resembles a Dalek from Doctor Who, will shout at intruders in an “angry Northern Irish accent”.

Labelled as the “Ultimate Deterrent”, the machine can detect thieves due to its 360-degree camera and will alert store managers within 47 seconds.

The robots, known as PID360 devices, were created by security experts Deter Tech. They will be deployed at various locations deemed high-risk across Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle.

The machines, which are covered in the same yellow and blue chequered markings used by the police, are said to help prevent “up to 80 per cent of intrusions”.

Upon detection, they will emit a 114-decibel warning siren accompanied by flashing lights.

A male voice with a strong Northern Irish accent will then say the following message: “Warning, this is security, your presence has been detected. The owner and police have been informed.”

The inspiration behind the accent has been speculated online, with some saying it reminds them of Rev Ian Paisley, whilst others compared it to an iconic Peaky Blinders character Inspector Chester Campbell, played by Sam Neill.

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Promotion material states: “With its striking design, audio alerts, and LED illuminators, the PID 360 serves as a powerful deterrent against intruders on your site.

“It captures every activation with precision, and our dedicated team promptly reviews footage and escalates any unauthorised presence detected.”

On a Tesco staff blog, employees discussed the new security guards. One individual stated: “That’s a rather ominous northern Irish accent.”

Another commented: “I’m from NI and never seen one of these things, but I’m not surprised they’d get a guy from here to do the voice, supposed to be one of most aggressive accents in the English speaking world.”

A staff member from Scotland said: “And I’m saying it as a guy from near Glasgow. Almost s*** it first time I heard it go off. What I find odd is seeing them in shops. Usually seen them on building sites and such. Always outdoors.”

A photo was shared online of the robots being used at a store in an unknown location, prompting the supermarket giant to respond.

A spokesman said: “This photo shows a security device which is used in some stores outside of opening hours, when needed, such as to prevent burglary or following damage to our property.

“The unit should not have been on the shop floor during opening hours.”

It comes amid a wave of shoplifting incidents up and down the country.

Last year saw 430,000 shoplifting cases recorded across the nation, according to the Office for National Statistics, the highest on record and over 33 per cent more than the previous year.

However, the actual figure is thought to be much higher.

Incidents of violence and abuse in shopping centres had risen by 65 per cent from 2021-22 to 2022-23, according to a report by British Retail Consortium.