Ella Scott
An Australian supermarket chain has invested in a genius anti-theft device which is set to put a stopper in shoplifting.
Coles grocery store has installed anti-theft fog devices which allegedly work by letting off a thick white cloud over cash registers and shelves.
As per Aussie outlet 7NEWS.com.au, the technology is designed to mask shop floors and deter thieves from breaking in after hours.
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Coles is hoping that this machinery will stop people from picking up bits and leaving without paying for them.
The new security measures have been rolled out after it was reported that supermarket theft in the country has risen by 20 percent this year.
As well as the anti-theft fog machines, the store’s trolleys are reportedly due to be upgraded with locks while smart gates will feature throughout the shop.
The former will see wheels locking the moment a suspected thief attempts to leave the store.
Another piece of technology that is set to be installed in more than 800 Coles is a shopper tracker.
This bit of kit is set to follow customers from the moment they enter the store to their exit, and will also record their time in the aisles.
Coles has also announced that new security cameras will be placed above checkout machines.
These will track scanned items and if any discrepancies are found, the smart gates will shut while an alarm will blare out.
Speaking about the ‘aggressive’ security measures, Matt Swindells, Coles' Chief Operations Officer said: “What we've done is taken the best of what's overseas and then enhanced it with a few other tweaks so we believe we've been got world-class loss-prevention technology in our stores.”
He added to A Current Affair: “If you're a thief, we're gonna catch ya’.”
Some Melbourne residents have already had an experience with the anti-theft fog machine, with one taking to Reddit to divulge details.
After arriving at a Coles store in Clayton, one late-night shopper recounted how the grocery shop suddenly filled with fog.
They wrote: “Not sure exactly what happened as I was wearing my headphones and zoned out in my own world, but I stopped by my local Coles to grab something for dinner on my way home around 10:20pm last night.
“As I was walking to the checkout, I heard a loud pop and smoke gradually filling the store (there was no burning smell and everyone in the store was relatively calm, however, the firm alarm did go off).”
In a statement, Coles told Daily Mail Australia that the mechanism suffered a 'technical mishap', which is why the machine blew out fog.
It added: “There is no health risk associated with the fog technology which is designed to go off when there is a break-in after hours.”
Tyla has contacted Coles for further comment.