A DALEK-style robot has been installed to clamp down on shoplifters at a Greggs store blighted by bake-and-take raids, The Sun can reveal.
Bosses at the high street bakery chain rubber-stamped the introduction of the £5,000 recording device at the frequently targeted branch in Brixton, South London.
3
3
The Safer POD X1 — likened to the militant Doctor Who extraterrestrials that bark “Exterminate!” before firing death rays — was installed by police.
The Sun can reveal, however, that the four-legged gizmo, which has four cameras, has done little to deter rampant thieves who are still pilfering from the outlet.
Staff said the Safer POD X1 — which has an alarm as loud as a chainsaw — arrived a month ago after a spate of shoplifters grabbing baguettes, sarnies and drinks from fridges.
One employee confirmed the metal and plastic device, which has yellow and black markings was having little effect.
Read More on UK News
DATE PREDATOR
From posh meals to savage beatings… speedboat killer Jack Shepherd exposed
‘ON LOCKDOWN’
Women start self-defence classes before migrants descend on tiny village
They said: “It just sits there and takes pictures. It doesn’t spray anything or do anything. It’s a damp squib.”
Another staff member said: “It’s just CCTV so the police can access it and try to stop people taking stuff.
“Does it do anything? I don’t think so really. Can’t say I’ve noticed people stealing stuff less than before.”
One shopper said: “The staff are pretty tough cookies in here but I think any extra security is worth it. To have something that looks a bit like a Dalek might help, I suppose.”
Most read in The Sun
‘MISSING’ MIGRANTS
Almost ‘1,000 migrants a year’ vanish before asylum claims are processed
MISSILE MAYHEM
Ukraine ‘kills Hero of Russia general’ in strike on base
FEELING LUCKY?
Winning Set For Life numbers for Monday September 14 £10k a month jackpot
3
Another customer, who gave his name as Charlie, added: “It’s not going to stop anyone. If they want to take stuff then they’ll just do it.”
Another man added: “It’s a weird-looking thing but I know Greggs have people nicking stuff all the time.
“I guess any help they can get has to be good.”
The Safer POD X1 boasts anti-crook features including four HD-quality cameras and a 120-decibel alarm.
The device is also used by Transport for London at Tube stations, Tesco and police forces.
In April, we revealed that Greggs had axed self-service displays from selected branches to cut down on shoplifting.
After a successful trial run, staff at some branches of the chain now hand over food and drink from behind a theft-proof counter.
And in 2024 we reported that staff were given body-cams and security guards to halt assaults.
The chain was asked to comment.
Monday 14 September
Sirius
2 – 0
ALL
Degerfors
Rio Ave
3 – 3
PRL
Estrela
Inter
3 – 2
Live 66′
Udinese
Leeds
3 – 0
Live 51′
Newcastle
Villarreal
1 – 2
Live 50′
Betis
Moreirense
2 – 0
Live HT
Marítimo
Braga
0 – 0
Live 22′
Estoril
Monday 14 September
FCSB
2 – 2
L1
Petrolul 52
Rio Ave
3 – 3
PRL
Estrela
Sirius
2 – 0
ALL
Degerfors
Kayseri
4 – 0
1.L
İstanbulspor
Ypsonas
0 – 1
1.D
Aris Limassol
Djurgården
2 – 0
ALL
GAIS
Bodø/Glimt
3 – 2
ELI
Sandefjord
Standings currently unavailable.
Monday 14 September
Sirius
2 – 0
ALL
Degerfors
Rio Ave
3 – 3
PRL
Estrela
Inter
3 – 2
Live 66′
Udinese
Leeds
3 – 0
Live 51′
Newcastle
Villarreal
1 – 2
Live 50′
Betis
Moreirense
2 – 0
Live HT
Marítimo
Braga
0 – 0
Live 22′
Estoril
Monday 14 September
FCSB
2 – 2
L1
Petrolul 52
Rio Ave
3 – 3
PRL
Estrela
Sirius
2 – 0
ALL
Degerfors
Kayseri
4 – 0
1.L
İstanbulspor
Ypsonas
0 – 1
1.D
Aris Limassol
Djurgården
2 – 0
ALL
GAIS
Bodø/Glimt
3 – 2
ELI
Sandefjord
Standings currently unavailable.