It installed branded Safer Pod S1s next to alcohol as a deterrent against the shoplifting epidemic plaguing Britain.

The stationary four-legged safety devices are equipped with HD cameras and a state-of-the-art 120db siren system to alert against thieves.

They are powered by a solar panel battery and can be moved around the store to problem areas while operated by a control room via an app.

Morrisons is currently reviewing the results of their trial in "a handful" of stores over the Christmas period.

One CCTV monitoring station was seen stationed next to premium whisky on Monday with the warning "we're keeping an eye on things to keep your store safe".

It was spotted by customer Mark Powlett, of Redditch, Warwickshire, who compared the new security system to the cyborg law enforcer in 1987 film RoboCop.

He wrote on X/Twitter: "Wow Morrisons how welcoming Robocop feels. I'm typing this as I wait for the one member of staff covering all the self service tills.

"I'm also being filmed there because actually paying staff to work when you can just make customers feel like criminals is lovely isn't it?"

But Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), said: "There is no doubt that cameras do have a deterrent effect and we are supportive of such measures aimed at reducing violence, threats and abuse at work.