JD Sports is introducing tagging sprays across its stores nationwide as it ramps up security measures amid the recent surge in shoplifting.
The sports retailer has partnered with forensic security company SelectaDNA to roll out the marking system.
The tagging sprays work by leaving a synthetic DNA and a UV marker on property and criminals, which can then be used to link assets to owners and criminals to crime scenes.
JD Sports said the measure will help to tackle the rise of “steaming” in its stores, where large gangs run into targeted locations, threaten staff with violence and then runaway with armfuls of stock.
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JD Sports head of retail profit and asset protection UK and Ireland Ian Williams said: “With the significant increase in retail crime across the UK, we required a solution to firstly act as a deterrent but also support the likelihood of positive arrests in what remains a challenging climate.
“Criminals continue to evolve with every enhancement made in the security industry, however forensic marking takes things to another level which even the most seasoned criminal can’t evade.
“We continually look for new and innovative ways in which to support our colleagues and disrupt criminals and SelectaDNA offered something different in the fight against retail crime which is supported by most Police forces nationwide.”
Shoplifting in England and Wales in 2023 reached the highest level since records began in 2003 with more than 430,000 offences recorded last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed last week.
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