Tesco brings in the robot security guards: Dalek-like bots shout at thieves in 'angry Northern Irish accents' and can prevent '80% of intrusions'

Supermarket thefts could be a thing of the past thanks to an 'ominous' security robot that looks straight out of Doctor Who.

Tesco has confirmed it is using the Dalek-like machines, which detect the presence of thieves thanks to 360-degree cameras.

Placed near the entrance of Tesco stores in the small hours, the bot shouts at any intruders in an 'angry Northern Irish accent' and sends alerts the authorities.

It's hoped the robot does a better job than human watchmen because it can't fall asleep on the job, as long as it's been sufficiently charged.

However, at £100,000 per month to hire, the robot doesn't come cheap.

One of the robots has been pictured in a Tesco store in an unknown location – prompting the retailer to admit it has been using them.

Addressing the photo, first published by The Sun , Tesco confirmed it is using the security robots in its stores at night when they are not open.

A Tesco spokesman said: 'This photo shows a security device which is used in some stores outside of opening hours, when needed, such as to prevent burglary or following damage to our property.

'The unit should not have been on the shop floor during opening hours.'

The device – which is covered in the same yellow and blue chequered markings used by UK Police – is a PID360 security robot made by Shropshire-based firm Deter Tech.

Until now the PID360 has mostly been used on construction sites to detect criminals stealing equipment or trespassers who could hurt themselves.

But 'desperate' Tesco bosses drafted the bots across UK stores to keep an eye out during the night during closing hours – especially smaller Tesco Express stores that are usually empty of security staff overnight.

According to other repots, the PID360 is being used at a series of 'at-risk' locations across Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle.

When the device detects an intruder, it emits a 114 decibel 'Star Wars-style' warning siren accompanied by flashing lights.

A booming Northern Irish voice – similar to Omagh-born Sam Neill's character in 'Peaky Blinders' – then says: 'Warning, this is security, your presence has been detected, the owner and police have been informed.'

In less than a minute, a message including an image of the intruder is then sent to a central control room, manned by ex-police and military staff who will decide whether to call on-site security, the police or a mobile response team.

According to Deter Tech, the PID360 deters more than '80 per cent of intrusions' and can be deployed in remote locations without needing power.

'With its striking design, audio alerts, and LED illuminators, the PID360 serves as a powerful deterrent against intruders on your site,' Deter Tech states.

'It captures every activation with precision, and our dedicated team promptly reviews footage and escalates any unauthorised presence detected.'

According to Daily Star , Tesco staff have mocked the device in an internal blog, with one calling it 'rather ominous'.

Another employee said: 'My favourite thing about these is that they have northern Irish accents. I never thought of our accent to be unsettling but I guess they can be to some people lol.'

Someone else posted: 'I'm from NI and never seen one of these things, but I'm not surprised they'd get a guy from here to do the voice, supposed to be one of most aggressive accents in the English speaking world.'