Retail security firm Facewatch has announced it will launch a new crime management platform this autumn, including what the company believes is a UK-first capability to alert police in real-time when the most serious offenders enter shops.
The feature will trigger an instant notification the moment a high-risk offender is matched by live facial recognition as they enter protected stores, enabling police to respond while an incident is still unfolding.
The system is designed to support enforcement action against the most prolific and dangerous repeat offenders, who are disproportionately responsible for the majority of retail crime and violence against shop workers.
The announcement comes as the Crime & Policing Act 2026 strengthens the national response to retail crime, including new protections for shop workers and the removal of the previous £200 threshold that had effectively decriminalised low value shop theft.
Nick Fisher, CEO, said: “The Facewatch Crime Management platform combines world-class algorithm accuracy with an easy-to-use reporting system. Retailers have told us they want one trusted platform that supports shop floor colleagues, loss prevention teams and the police, and that’s what we’re building.
“To support the wider community and government fight against retail crime, the capability to alert police instantly when serious offenders trigger a live facial recognition match will take evidence-backed crime reporting to the next level.
“The majority of retail crime is carried out by a minority of prolific repeat offenders, an increasing number of which are using weapons to threaten shop workers.
“We’re calling time on prolific repeat offending with a unique technical development that will warn police within an average of four seconds the moment the worst offenders are matched and flagged on our network.”
The platform will bring together live facial recognition, incident reporting, case management and “police-ready evidence workflows” under one governed framework, reducing duplication for retailers and providing clear governance and safeguards for biometric data handling.
The Facewatch Crime Management platform will be launched this autumn, following testing with existing retail partners, and will sit within the company’s wider governance framework.
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