Potential solution to curb retail crime may be on Australia's doorstep

Retail crime has hit record levels in Australia but even more worrying is the level of violence used by crooks during their wild criminal sprees.

Staff and customers are in the firing line while police and shopping centre operators search for ways to reverse the frightening trend.

But the answer might be on our doorstep.

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In New Zealand retail crime is being slashed with facial recognition technology developed in Auckland.

With a six-month trial now complete, retailers are rapt with the results.

In Australia, it's a very different story.

When Bunnings tried to protect its staff, the privacy commissioner Carly Kind stepped in to rule it went too far.

"There was no consent asked for or given," Kind said.

"There was also no notice given, there were no signs notifying people that facial recognition was in play."

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