A robot security guard at Morrisons sparked a fiery debate between former editor of The Sun Kelvin MacKenzie and visiting professor of Staffordshire University Tom Bewick with the duo arguing over its effectiveness as a deterrent.
On Dewbs & Co the duo chatted as it has been revealed that police are using ‘robocop’ cameras in supermarket aisles to stop customers from stealing expensive booze.
Bewick said: "Well, it's a robotic wheelie bin that's going to travel, travel around the store with you.
"You're already aware when you go out to the shops or down to the town center of the High Street that that we live in a surveillance society.
Tom Bewick argued that he doesn't like them
GBNews
"That's just the reality of CCTV being everywhere. So that's not the story here.
"I think the story is when you go out to the shops, do you want to be reminded constantly that you in quotes could be a criminal and in any case, it's ineffective.
"It does screech a very loud sound at you, but it doesn't apprehend the shoplifter, it doesn't call the police it does none of that. So I just think it's a gimmick, quite frankly."
However Kelvin felt differently he said: "Morrisons believe that it will deter some people or will capture some on video, and therefore the private prosecution can then take place, which is increasingly the way that shoplifters will be apprehended.
The debate got heated
GBNews
"It must be a terrible moment to be a member of staff of a major supermarket right now, never knowing whether they will be asked or have to apprehend some piece of filth that has been stolen from that the 800th time.
"The truth about the matter is as long as they had the stuff back before they left the store they don't get done for the shoplifting when they're seen.
"So I'm in favour of anything that will make life more difficult for the shoplifter.
"And I don't care that there could be a million cameras in my local Morrisons or my local Waitrose and I wouldn't mind at all. I am not trying to steal anything. If it puts somebody off, I'm in favour of it.
Kelvin MacKenzie was in favour
GBNews
"Why don't they stick it online? Why don't they just stream it?
"So, anybody who gets caught nicking a bottle of vodka or gin or whatever all their neighbours are looking at them."
Bewick then responded: "Then the next thing we live in authoritarian China, where you've got social credit systems, the state tells you how much you can spend at what point.
"And if you've got coronavirus, you've got your stratulating."
"No, I mean, it's an absolutely dystopian nightmare."
