‘Beef bandits’: Technology helping supermarkets crackdown on shoplifters

New technology is helping supermarkets catch shoplifters, with a rise in meat theft causing headaches for many stores.

Meat theft is climbing in Australia but experts warn new technology is making it easier to find the shoplifters.

Retail crime intelligence platform Auror reports meat theft increased by 85 per cent last year.

There were more than 67,000 incidents of stolen meat nationally, led by beef then chicken, lamb and pork.

But CCTV and facial recognition technology are helping authorities track down the “beef bandits”.

Drakes Supermarkets director John Paul Drake said software linked directly to police had kept tabs on one person, who allegedly stole $12,000 worth of food.

New technology targets serial shoplifters, as research shows an 85 per cent increase in supermarket meat theft. Picture: A Current Affair/ Nine

Footage on A Current Affair shows an alleged shoplifter packing his cooler bag full of expensive meat cuts, before proceeding to walk straight past the checkout without stopping to pay for anything.

The incident is alleged to be just one of 27 thefts allegedly committed by the same man at Drake stores.

“We know that these products aren’t going to people in need,” Mr Drake told A Current Affair.

Director of Drakes Supermarkets John Paul Drake said the products weren’t going to people in need. Picture: A Current Affair/ Nine

“People in need don’t need wagyu and Angus pure beef to have on their tables.”

Gary Mortimer, from QUT Business School, said a full fillet could cost between $80 and $110, so three or four of those was worth hundreds of dollars.

“The intentional theft is often organised by crime gangs,” Professor Mortimer said.

“They’re shopping to a list they’ve got a list of products that they’re seeking to on-sell.”