Self-service checkouts 'turning Britons into thieves'

One in five people shoplift via supermarket self-scanners resulting in a cost of almost £1.7billion a year.

13:09 30 January 2014

Self-service checkouts may be doing more harm than good to shops as it emerged that one in five Britons commit shoplifting via the unmanned trust-based device leading to £1.7billion of losses per year. 

 

According to the report, the scan-it-yourself makes it too easy for some people to slip items into their bags without paying for them. 

 

Some also admit to walking out with an average of £15 of goods a month.

 

Shoplifters typically steal fruit, vegetables, bakery items, sweets, and toiletries. As for the reason for their behaviour, two-thirds of the thieves said that it was because they are able to work the scanner to their advantage easily. 

 

Meanwhile, British Retail Consortium warned that they have ‘stringent security measures in place’ to stop this crime. The organisation added: ‘Retailers think very carefully before introducing any new technologies into store, and implement appropriate preventative measures.’

 

One of the respondents confessed online and said: ‘I have to put through at least five items for free. Esp expensive ones like meat and beauty products. I can’t bear to pay for them because I feel I am being ripped off. Thing is it has become an addiction.’

 

Another respondent, who is a mother, said: ‘Occasionally (when pay day is too far away for my liking) I enter the incorrect information at the self serve check out.’