Displaysense is a leading supplier of display cases and point of sale equipment, and is working with security experts to trial the use of mannequins with built-in security cameras, in a bid to “battle the sharp rise in shoplifting and violent crime towards staff during this tough economic recession”.
It is planned that the cameras and recording equipment will be located in the heads of the “i-mannequins” – with the camera lens itself peering out of the dummy’s eye socket.
Reassuringly, Displaysense tells us: “The mannequins will not be designed to move or apprehend the criminal themselves, but it is hoped that they will be able to catch the would-be criminal red handed on camera.”
The dummy’s head would then effectively become a camera and DVR solution, recording to local memory, with images able to be retrieved for investigation.
All-in-one solution
The company anticipates that the mannequins, which are currently being tested, would be an affordable, all-in-one solution, with prices estimated to be no greater than GB pound 299.
Displaysense says the move comes at a time when store owners are struggling with a considerable rise in crime as a result of the economic recession. The main culprits of shoplifting are children aged 12-20, with girls overtaking boys as the leading suspects for the third year running.
Marketing manager Steve Whittle, who is involved in the mannequins’ creation, said: “This is the perfect collaboration between shop fitting and security which is set to be the most inconspicuous way of monitoring activity around a store.
“With the falling costs of technology, it is not that expensive to include digital video recording with other devices, making it affordable for most retailer budgets.
“These mannequins are designed to be ideal for protecting products, but staff will also benefit from the added security, at a time when violence towards retail staff is on the rise.”
If this device is successful after its trial period, the technology could be transferred into the company’s display cabinet or display cases.
Andrew McCarthy, no doubt, would be delighted.
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