Shops across the UK are rolling out AI-powered cameras to catch thieves following a significant change in legislation. A leading security firm has warned that ‘opportunistic theft’ will face harsher penalties from 2026 onwards.
AI Technology in Retail
AI-enabled cameras are now being deployed in stores to monitor merchandise, capture video evidence of theft, and send real-time mobile security alerts when suspicious activity is detected. Kingdom Security, which supplies security personnel to numerous high street retailers, stated that ‘opportunistic theft’ will be targeted most aggressively, as the everyday ‘pocketing’ of retail items has become increasingly normalised.
As of May 2026, over 100 retailers across the UK have begun implementing this new AI technology. These cameras can track items from shelves to concealed areas such as coats and bags, and can also alert staff when known thieves enter the store.
Expert Warning
Andrew Cockerill, Account Director at Kingdom Security, commented: “This new AI technology means ‘one-off opportunistic theft’ will soon no longer be treated as such, with teams able to receive mobile alerts when thieves enter stores. The vast majority of theft in stores occurs long before individuals approach the checkout, with ‘opportunity’ consistently ranking as a leading cause. While many see shoplifting as a victimless crime, it is not. In total, between prevention measures and loss recovery, it adds an estimated £133 onto the average UK household shopping bill each year.”
Andrew warns ‘opportunistic thieves’ that wider rollouts of the technology could result in bans from retail stores for repeated small-level theft. “In recent years, the aggressive rise in shoplifting has been met with swift responses from both government and the wider retail sector. Changes in law under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mean low-value theft will no longer be treated differently to the theft perpetrated by ‘shoplifting-to-order’ gangs. Ultimately theft is theft, and even ‘one-off opportunistic shoplifting’ could lead to prosecution.”
Legal Changes
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduced several modifications to shoplifting laws to protect retailers and clamp down on theft. Most notably, the legislation abolished the ‘low-value theft’ classification, meaning shoplifting goods worth under £200 is no longer treated as a minor offence and can be prosecuted with full severity.
Protecting Businesses
Retailers and businesses, Andrew added, can take several steps to protect themselves from opportunistic thieves, including implementing special protocols for high-value items and hiring additional security officers to provide a visible deterrent in-store.
