Lord Richard Walker, boss of Iceland and the government's cost of living tsar, has proposed arming retail security guards with truncheons and pepper spray. He's submitted a House of Lords private members bill creating a licensing scheme that would allow trained security staff to use reasonable force and carry approved equipment like restraint devices. Walker called shoplifting a "war" on British high streets and said retailers are "fighting with one arm behind our back."

Iceland is also planning to launch facial recognition technology in 19 stores next week, despite warnings from the Information Commissioner's Office that sharing CCTV images could breach data protection laws. The bill proposes different licensing tiers and would require a consultation and study of comparable overseas schemes. Walker will learn Friday whether his bill has been selected for a first reading.

The retail industry has spent about £5bn over the past five years on security measures, including anti-theft devices and more guards, according to the British Retail Consortium. Shoplifting fell 1% to 509,566 offences in 2025, following a sharp rise in recent years. Major retailers including Sainsbury's are expanding facial recognition use, with CEO Simon Roberts saying the issue is "really serious" and police presence in stores would be welcome.