Asda rolls out crime reporting platform across UK store network
Retailer expands Auror deployment nationwide after London pilot helped reduce reporting times and improve crime prevention efforts.
Asda is rolling out the Auror crime reporting and intelligence platform across its entire store estate following a successful 10-week pilot conducted in 30 stores across London.
Auror is a digital platform that consolidates information related to in-store crime incidents, allowing retailers and law enforcement agencies to identify repeat offenders, detect crime patterns and streamline investigations through a centralized reporting system.
According to Asda, the London pilot resulted in more than £100,000 worth of stolen products being recovered and returned to shelves. The retailer also reported a 55% increase in crime prevention rates and an 80% reduction in incident reporting times, cutting the process from approximately 25 minutes to less than five minutes.
The platform also improved the identification of repeat offenders and individuals operating across multiple retail chains. During the pilot, specially trained colleagues reviewed CCTV footage from thefts and serious incidents before uploading relevant information into the system. The company emphasized that no live facial recognition technology was used during the trial or is being used in the rollout.
“Rolling out Auror across our estate will further strengthen our ability to prevent and tackle retail crime,” said David Lepley, Chief Operating Officer at Asda. He added that the pilot demonstrated the value of faster reporting and real-time identification of repeat offenders.
The nationwide deployment comes as UK retailers continue to face rising levels of theft, abuse and violence in stores. This rollout is part of Asda’s broader investment in store security. The retailer said it has invested more than £90 million over the past two years in measures including body-worn cameras, upgraded CCTV systems, security barriers and other safety enhancements designed to protect employees and customers.
