The trial reflects an ongoing commitment to creating safe, secure and welcoming environments across supermarkets and Local convenience stores, reinforcing the message that abuse, violence and crime must never be accepted as part of retail life. It will also ensure that facial recognition technology is deployed effectively and responsibly, in line with public expectations around safety and data protection.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s CEO commented: “We have listened to the deep concerns our colleagues and customers have and they’re right to expect us to act. The retail sector is at a crossroads, facing rising abuse, antisocial behaviour and violence. We must put safety first. That means investing in technology to help protect our people and support local policing teams in tackling offenders.
“We understand that facial recognition technology can raise valid questions about data and privacy. This trial and subsequent roll out is not about monitoring colleagues or our valued customers. It’s focused solely on identifying serious offenders who have committed acts of violence, aggression, or theft, helping our teams prevent further harm. We’re determined that retail crime must be stopped and we will do everything possible to ensure the safety of our store teams and colleagues.”
Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “Retail crime causes significant harm to shop workers, businesses and communities, threatening livelihoods and eroding public confidence. That’s why we’re working with businesses like Sainsbury’s to tackle this issue head-on.
“Our Safer Streets Summer Initiative is boosting police visibility and coordination with local councils and businesses in over 500 town centres across England and Wales, making our high streets safer.
“But we’re going further, working with retailers and the police to put in action the Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy to target all forms of shop theft, including organised gangs, and passing new laws to protect retail workers from abuse.
“This Government stands with retailers and workers—retail crime will not be tolerated.”
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We welcome Sainsbury’s ongoing programme of work to protect retail workers and customers from the continued threat of abuse and violence in stores. Our Freedom From Fear campaign has long highlighted the unacceptable levels of violence faced by shopworkers, along with widespread concerns about safety across the retail sector. We look forward to seeing the results of the trial of facial recognition software and will continue to work closely with Sainsbury’s to support a responsible, evidence-led approach to tackling retail crime.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion