Retail security refers to practices used in the retail sector to protect staff and customers from physical threats and to protect merchandise from theft. As retail theft significantly increased during and since the pandemic, retail security guards are essential for maintaining a safe shopping environment and reducing financial losses for retail businesses.
In addition, The Home Office’s 2023 Commercial Victimisation Survey customer theft has shown a long-term upward trend, increasing from 20% in 2014 to 26% in 2023 for premises in the wholesale and retail sector
This type of theft remains the most prevalent offence experienced by businesses, with 14% of all business premises reporting theft incidents.
Police responses including shoplifting and associated crimes, have shown mixed effectiveness, with significant improvements following recent initiatives. However, according to the British Retail Consortium’s 2024 survey, 61% of retailers rated the police response to retail crime as poor or very poor.
According to You.Gov, an astonishing 60% of people in Britain now think that the government is handling crime badly.
When it comes to shoplifting prosecution only 14% of shoplifting cases led to a charge or summons in England and Wales in the year ending September 2023, reflecting challenges in prosecuting these crimes. Does this act as a deterrent?
As the figures above indicate there is a need for loss prevention by utilising private security services to protect valuable stock and retail staff.
Retail security guard responsibilities extend beyond just deterring theft – they contribute to creating a secure and welcoming shopping experience for customers and staff. With the increase in on-line shopping it’s important your customers feel safe and secure and to encourage increased footfall.
Retail security guards are typically required to hold a valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) license. They are trained in conflict resolution, emergency response and effective communication.
Professionalism, vigilance and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial characteristics for success in this role. This will provide you with peace of mind that your store is being protected efficiently and
Retail security providers in the UK often offer tailored solutions depending on the size and type of your business. You should be provided with a comprehensive risk assessment specifically tailored to your business needs along with your quotation.
The goal is always to strike a balance between providing security and maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for customers and a safe place for shop workers.
Whatever security provision your organisation is looking to implement you should select a security patrol company that is able to adapt to your organisation’s requirements. Not all businesses need 24/7 protection but working with a company that is able to scale up or scale down quickly and efficiently is important for seamless security provision. Security should be seen as an asset and an investment. When choosing between security patrol companies, look for similarity in values and evidence of a clear understanding of your business or organisation and culture.
We would welcome the opportunity to provide you with a no-obligation, comprehensive risk assessment and quotation. Please call 0800 772 3786 or contact us here.
Magenta Security provide award winning security services throughout the UK. We are in the top 5% of ACS approved contractors and were the first security company in Europe to be awarded ISO 14001 for our environmental management systems.
