Iceland announces £1 reward for customers who identify 'scumbag' shoplifters

Richard Walker, Iceland's executive chairman revealed the initiative last night as part of efforts to address what he describes as Britain's "out of control" shoplifting crisis.

Statistics indicate three thefts occur every minute across the country in the year ending March.

He said: "I would like to announce we will give £1 to any customer who points out a shop lifter. If they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence and tell our colleagues and it turns out they are, we will put it straight on their bonus card. Done."

He explained the measure will make an impact as shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

Mr Walker said shoplifting prevents prices from being reduced and impacts the hours available for staff.

"Theft costs us over £20million a year. That's not £20million in profit, it's just extra costs that we could pay to staff or to lower prices."

The £1 reward is the latest measure in Iceland’s efforts to protect staff from increasingly violent organised crime groups targeting stores. But the scheme has sparked backlash online, with many social media users dismissing the amount as too small to justify intervening.

Some argued it could put shoppers at risk of confrontation, while others described shoplifting from a large supermarket chain as "a victimless crime."

One commenter wrote: "Is this a joke? I ain't grassing on anyone for less than £50." Another branded Walker clueless and said: "Is he that wealthy he thinks £1 is going to benefit us poor people?"

Others accused the company of undervaluing customers, with one remarking: "£1 – is that all we’re worth? They’re treating us like peasants."

Another user added: "I don’t agree with shoplifting but I’m not snitching on anyone for £1."

The reward will be administered through Iceland's existing Bonus Card programme, which currently provides customers with £1 for every £20 saved on their cards.

Cardholders can monitor their balances via the Iceland mobile application, till receipts, or by enquiring with store staff. To claim the shoplifting reward, customers must report suspected theft to employees who will verify the incident before crediting the bonus.

The system allows immediate balance updates through the app, with funds usable for both in-store and online purchases.

Mr Walker plans to roll out facial recognition in all 970 UK stores, despite privacy concerns raised by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

He explained the move is needed to protect staff from violent offenders and is prepared to challenge opposition from lawyers and rights groups. Existing security includes guards, barriers, locked displays and staff headsets.

Mr Walker’s push is part of wider anti-theft measures, amid fustration at Government inaction on retail crime despite pledges made a year ago.

The Iceland boss told the Daily Star it was "ridiculous" a store owner in north Wales who put up a sign criticising 'scumbags shoplifting' had been told by police to consider changing the 'offensive' wording.

He said: "These people are scumbags. What’s wrong with that word? We've reached a point where the law-abiding feel like they’re the ones on trial while the lawless get away with it. The very word 'shoplifting' is a trivialising understatement - it's theft and increasingly it's violent theft. And that is what we should call it."

Mr Walker has criticised politicians for failing to deliver on promises to boost police numbers, create a specific offence for violence against shopworkers, and scrap lenient penalties for thefts under £200.

He warned that organised criminals are operating with "increasing levels of violence" and said he regularly urges staff and customers not to confront thieves.

Speaking to Channel 5 News, Walker said: "We would like our customers to help us lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and we'll give them a quid back."