Research by security trade body the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), has pointed to an increase in demand for security from the retail sector over the past 12 months. Petty theft, shoplifting and theft by employees are said to be the biggest cause of this rise. The survey, which aimed to identify trends in retail security over the past year, was completed by members from across all sections of BSIA membership. More than 85 per cent of respondents claimed that the use of private security measures in retail has either remained static or increased over the past 12 months, with 65pc also expecting a further increase as we move into 2013.
Despite recent reports highlighting the rocketing cost to retailers of online crime, the association’s survey showed that shoplifting and petty theft were perceived by security providers to be the biggest threat to retail security, closely followed by so-called ‘inside jobs’ – that is, theft by retail employees, which was highlighted as a threat by 20pc of respondents.
Electronic security is proving particularly popular in the fight against retail crime, according to three BSIA member companies.
One company that’s seen a particular increase in demand for its services is London-based Wavestore Ltd. Chris Williams, Wavestore’s Marketing Director, says: “For more than 12 months we have seen an increase in demand for advanced security solutions to address the increase in losses due to theft and fraud.”
In that firm’s experience, retailers are combating this threat by turning to a range of technology, including intelligent panoramic CCTV cameras that automatically track objects and people, recording systems that instantly transmit a video clip of an event to security staff when an alarm is triggered, and biometric facial recognition.
“Panoramic CCTV cameras are quite different to fixed cameras or PTZ cameras that can only view a defined field of view,” says Chris Williams. “Shoplifters cannot tell what the camera is recording – in fact it is recording the whole scene. We are installing these solutions into nationwide store chains in Europe and the USA.”
The economic downturn has been identified by many respondents as one of the possible causes for the increase in this type of crime, and retailers continue to invest in security measures as a result.
Anthony King, Managing Director of Yorkshire-based King’s Security Systems, says: “The economic downturn has seen an increased level of strain on security budgets, meaning solutions are needed to reduce direct immediate costs, reduce ongoing costs and still add increased flexibility to security loss prevention solutions.”
Like Wavestore, King’s has also seen an increased demand for new technology, which Anthony King at the family-run company attributes to a change in approach and mindset about new solutions.
He adds: “With the new cloud-based CCTV hosting solutions that are coming through, the days of the conventional DVR are numbered, as centrally hosted CCTV recording gives Loss Prevention Managers and their colleagues in Marketing visual store access at the click of button from anywhere in the world from a laptop PDA or smart phone.”
Aside from the more traditional alarm and CCTV, newer technology such as lone worker protection devices is also becoming increasingly popular in a retail setting, the association suggests. Equipped with mobile phone technology, such devices can connect employees with an emergency response system that links to the police.
Craig Swallow, Managing Director of lone worker device manufacturer, Connexion2, says: “So-called ‘single staffing’, where retail employees are required to work alone, is a popular way for retailers to cut costs in a challenging economic climate. However, working alone exposes employees to an increased risk from robbery or violence, particularly now that retail outlets are open for longer hours and staff take on additional tasks that take them away from the point of sale. Not only do lone worker devices provide retail employees with peace of mind and added protection, but they can also help retailers to mitigate business risk and minimise both the reputational and financial impact of crime as a result.”
James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, pictured, sums up: “As round-the-clock retail becomes more commonplace, the sector is clearly adapting quickly to the fresh security challenges that such an operation brings. By adopting an open-minded and innovative approach to security technology, retailers can reduce their risks and respond faster when crime does occur.”
