New Coles security device caught in action by Melbourne shopper

An new security device has been caught in action by a Melbourne shopper after being accidentally detonated during store hours.

A jaw-dropping photo taken during a security mishap has revealed one of Coles’ drastic new security measures.

The snap, taken by a startled shopper at the retail giant’s Clayton store in Melbourne, shows the supermarket’s instantly recognisable aisles filled with grey fog.

One worried Aussie who had been picking up groceries at the time shared the confronting image on Reddit, explaining they were “not sure exactly what happened”, and asked for help explaining the unusual scene in their local Coles.

A Coles shopper was startled after hearing a bang, prompting the store to fill with smoke. Picture: Reddit

News.com.au understands the dramatic scenes were caused when a new security measure was accidentally detonated. Picture: Reddit

“I stopped by my local Coles to grab something for dinner on my way home around 10:20pm last night,” the shopper wrote.

“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 (fire) alarm did go off.

“The smoke eventually went away after 2-3 minutes. Does anyone know what it may have been?”

News.com.au understands the bizarre fog was actually the result of a mishap with a new security measure rolled out nationally in Coles stores.

The technical error occurred with an antitheft fog device, which is designed to go off if there is a break-in after hours.

The thick mist, which is not harmful to humans, leaves intruders disoriented and makes it difficult for them to see and steal valuable items.

The supermarket has introduced a raft of new measures to prevent theft, including fog machines, which are designed to go off if there are intruders after hours. Picture: Reddit

Users in the comments section were quick to point this out, explaining it was “antitheft fog” that is “used to stop thieves”, that shouldn’t have been activated with customers in store.

“They’re meant to go off if the store is broken into/ram raided after closing time as it’s nearly impossible to steal stuff when you cant see,” one said.

“It’s called a smoke cloak,” another claimed.

As someone else speculated: “Probably a new manager trying to set/stop an alarm and they screwed up triggering the smoke screen. Oops.”

Coles has already introduced body cams in response to urgent need. Picture: Supplied

The unfortunate incident comes after Coles revealed it would be “aggressively” rolling-out new technology that would track every shoppers’ movement throughout the store in response to rising theft rates.

As well as the unusual fog machines, overhead cameras, trolley locks and smart gates were installed in a bid to lower losses, which cost retailers a whopping $9 billion a year.

“If you’re a thief, we’re gonna catch ya,” Coles’ chief operating officer Matt Swindells told A Current Affair in September.

Coles has already introduced body cams in response to its urgent need. Woolworths has also rolled out a string of new security measures.