The CEO of Iceland has denounced what he describes as “stupid” data protection regulations that hinder retailers from sharing CCTV footage of shoplifters in real-time.

Richard Walker, executive chairman of the frozen-food retailer, is urging government reform to allow the dissemination of images of individuals caught stealing on community WhatsApp groups.

He disclosed that he instructed employees to share these images from Iceland’s 1,000 locations across the UK on local WhatsApp groups, intending to disregard current legal restrictions. Walker emphasized that Iceland would accept the consequences if legal actions were taken against them.

“We are fighting with one hand tied behind our backs,” Walker stated during an appearance on Woburn Partners’ Lessons in Leadership podcast. “When these images are on your CCTV… it’s absolutely proven. There’s no denying. You watch someone pick something up, conceal it, and walk out or become confrontational with store staff if stopped.”

“Clearly, we want to share those images. I’ve told my team to do it anyway, and I’ll take the blame if there’s an issue. It’s a misguided law.”

Walker advocates for a reform that would permit the sharing of such images and videos, which he believes could deter habitual shoplifters. “Let’s leverage the tools available to us in this fight.”

Guidelines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) indicate that sharing information, including images for crime prevention, is permissible among retailers only if deemed “necessary and proportionate”. The ICO, responsible for overseeing data protection in the UK, noted that sharing images of suspected shoplifters through platforms like WhatsApp or public spaces is unlikely to fulfill this requirement.

Melissa Mathieson, ICO’s director of regulatory policies, advised retailers that if they wish to exchange images, they should establish agreements ensuring the use of secure work devices and enable auto-delete settings. This measure is essential to prevent potential misuse of images on personal devices.

At 44, Walker previously sought selection as a Conservative candidate and recently introduced Sir Keir Starmer at the launch of Labour’s 2024 election manifesto. He criticized the previous Conservative administration for its ineffective handling of shoplifting, pointing out that it sent the wrong message by stating that theft of items worth less than £200 would not be treated as a serious crime and would only result in a warning.

Labour has announced intentions to implement stricter laws against shoplifting, requiring police to investigate all incidents, regardless of item value. Walker argues that abolishing the £200 threshold would convey a powerful message that the issue is taken seriously.

Additionally, assaulting shop workers is now classified as a specific criminal offense, a development that Walker welcomed, noting a 60% rise in serious assaults on his staff, totaling around 1,000 annually.

According to official statistics, shoplifting reached an unprecedented level earlier in 2024, with police recording approximately 50 incidents every hour in England and Wales. The Office for National Statistics reported a 30% surge in shoplifting offenses for the year ending March, tallying 43,995 incidents—averaging 1,216 daily.

An ICO spokesperson commented: “Data protection law allows retailers to share images for crime prevention as long as it’s necessary and proportionate. Retailers must familiarize themselves with privacy implications and ensure they have legal grounds and security measures in place before publishing any suspected shoplifters’ images.”