Spy Review

A new high tech tool is aiding in recognising underage buyers of alcohol and cigarettes. If a child has tried to buy either alcohol or cigarettes in the past, their photo is on file. This unique high technology tool which is being used at a unnamed branch of Budgens in London will be able to alert the cashier the minute a child under the age of 18 is about to purchase cigarettes or alcohol.

As the child walks up to the register, the camera that monitors the till will transmit the picture to a control centre in Worcester. Here the person’s facial features are scanned against all the photos of underage children that have tried to purchase alcohol or cigarettes from this store in the past. Along with identifying underage persons trying to buy, the system will also identify those over the age of 18 that have proven their age.

With this system in place, those over 18 will be able to purchase cigarettes or alcohol without the hassles of producing proof while those underage will be denied service.

Anyone that looks underage will have to show proof as always if they are not in the system, thus providing information for all new customers.

Charton Ltd, the company behind the technology, says there are currently limted number of photos on file but that will increase as it has the capacity to store up to 2 million. Click to read more on the story.