Nick Fisher, chairman of Facewatch, says his company’s facial recognition technology has revolutionised the safety and security measures in various retail stores across the UK. Independently assessed by regulatory bodies such as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Office of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (OBSCC), Facewatch complies with the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), instilling confidence in retailers seeking to combat crime effectively.
Just one of Facewatch’s many happy customers is Simon Lawrence from Lawrence Garages, who says Facewatch has had a profound impact on store safety.
Simon explained that over the years, relying solely on traditional CCTV proved to be reactive rather than preventative, and was typically just providing evidence after incidents occurred.
He added that support from the police was not very forthcoming as they are overwhelmed by the volume of crime, and his problems were low on their agenda.
Talking about his decision to invest in Facewatch, Simon said: “Facewatch’s proactive approach to crime prevention sets it apart from conventional CCTV, and its effectiveness in ensuring worker safety aligns with the Lawrence Garages objectives. The combination of Facewatch with tailored safety measures has also significantly boosted employee morale, making staff feel safer and more empowered while at work.”
Regarding the tangible impact since the implementation of Facewatch, Simon enthusiastically reveals a significant reduction in stock loss and violent incidents across all sites since installation four years ago. What is more, Simon confidently asserts that the presence of Facewatch has not deterred customers from shopping at his stores. Simon and the team actively promote Facewatch, and there have been no customer complaints, indicating a positive response from shoppers.
Fisher said: “Facewatch has emerged as a transformative solution, empowering retailers to take proactive measures and significantly enhance the quality of life for their employees while concurrently reducing in-store crimes. As this technology continues to reshape the retail landscape, it stands as a testament to the power of innovation in safeguarding the well-being of both store personnel and customers alike.”
