Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage the adoption of systems based on artificial intelligence to (1) enhance security, and (2) reduce shoplifting incidents, in retail settings across the UK.

Shops are at the heart of our communities and neighbourhoods, and it is important that businesses are free to trade without fear of crime or disorder.

Innovative technologies have huge potential to cut crime and reduce the cost of crime to businesses, as well as making workplaces and communities safer. I am keen to support increased adoption of new technologies to prevent crime including shoplifting, but recognise this must be done in a lawful and proportionate way with due consideration given to privacy.

Police recorded offences in England and Wales (excluding Devon and Cornwall) for shoplifting and all theft offences for year ending December 2022 are showing a fall of 12% and 13% respectively compared with the pre-pandemic period of March 2020.

Crime in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)