Behaviour Detection and Video Redaction: Enhancing Crime Detection and Prevention in Retail
The Escalating Threat of Retail Crime
Retail crime in the UK has reached alarming levels, with reports indicating an unprecedented rise in shoplifting, violent incidents and organised criminal activities. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retailers are grappling with approximately 55,000 thefts daily, while violent and abusive incidents have surged by 50% over the past year. These crimes not only result in significant financial losses but also create an unsafe environment for employees and customers.
In this article, we look at the latest statistics associated with retail crime and the security measures deployed to protect stores, staff and customers.
What is Driving the Increase in Retail Crime Rates?
The rise in retail crime is driven by various factors, including the activities of organised gangs, economic pressures leading to increased theft, and a lack of police prioritisation. Criminals exploit the reduced presence of in-store staff and security measures, particularly in locations where self-checkout systems are prevalent.
Alarmingly, more than 70 incidents a day involve a weapon, according to the annual crime survey from the BRC.
Verbal and physical attacks, violent threats and sexual and racial abuse in shops soared to more than 2,000 incidents a day in the year to the end of last August, up from 1,300 the previous year and more than three times the 2020 level.
The trade body’s report, based on a sample from retailers representing more than 1.1 million employees, found theft had reached an all-time high with more than 20 million retail crime incidents during the year, with an increasing number of incidents linked to organised crime as gangs systematically targeted stores across the country.
In response, retailers have invested heavily in security technologies, with CCTV systems, behaviour detection analytics and video redaction tools playing an essential role in crime prevention and investigation.
The Role of CCTV in Crime Prevention
Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems have become an indispensable tool for retailers in deterring and detecting criminal activities. The presence of surveillance cameras acts as a visible deterrent that discourages potential offenders from engaging in unlawful behaviour.
Additionally, high-definition cameras equipped with night vision and motion detection capabilities ensure continuous monitoring of store premises and exterior locations when stores are closed.
Retailers are increasingly integrating real-time surveillance with law enforcement agencies to enable a swift response to criminal incidents.
CCTV footage serves as crucial evidence in identifying offenders and aids in investigations and securing convictions.
The use of dome cameras, strategically placed at entry and exit points, and high-traffic areas such as customer service desks and checkouts, enables retailers to capture facial features and behavioural patterns that enhance security measures significantly.
Advanced Behaviour Detection for Proactive Security
Beyond traditional surveillance, modern security systems incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and behaviour detection technology to identify suspicious activities before crimes occur.
AI-driven analytics can assess customer movements and detect unusual patterns, such as loitering near high-value items, abrupt direction changes or repeated visits to the same section without making a purchase.
Behaviour detection technology also assists in identifying aggressive behaviour or potential threats in real time.
By analysing body language, speech patterns and interactions, AI-powered systems can alert security personnel to intervene before an incident escalates.
Taking a proactive approach to security not only helps prevent shoplifting but also reduces instances of verbal and physical abuse against retail staff.
Video Redaction for Privacy Compliance and Evidence Sharing
While CCTV footage is invaluable for crime prevention and prosecution, privacy concerns must be addressed, especially when sharing video evidence with law enforcement, the public or news outlets.
Video redaction technology ensures that sensitive information, such as bystanders' faces, payment details or personal identifiers, is blurred, masked or removed before distribution.
Automated video redaction software enables retailers to comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), while still leveraging surveillance footage for crime investigations.
Video redaction technology enhances transparency and accountability without revealing personal data or compromising individual privacy, which makes it a crucial element in modern retail security.
Increased Use of Body-Worn Cameras to Tackle Retail Crime
In addition to CCTV and behaviour detection technologies, retailers are increasingly equipping staff with body-worn cameras (BWC) to tackle crime and enhance safety.
BWC serve as a deterrent and also as a means of capturing crucial evidence in cases of theft, abuse or violence.
Employees wearing BWC report fewer instances of aggressive behaviour from customers, as offenders are less likely to act unlawfully when they know they are being recorded.
Furthermore, body-worn cameras provide law enforcement with footage of incidents, which helps to support investigations and prosecutions.
Wearing BWC boosts staff confidence as their safety is enhanced in high-risk retail environments.
Over the past five years, the adoption of body-worn cameras in the UK's retail sector has grown substantially. A survey by Retail Risk indicates that over 70% of UK retailers have either implemented or are considering the deployment of body-worn cameras.
A knock-on effect of the use of more BWC in retail, is an increase in subject access requests. People being recorded on BWC are highly aware that they are being filmed, and they are therefore more likely to ask for a copy the video footage in the event of a dispute or an insurance claim.
The increase in BWC use has heightened retailers’ needs to have video redaction technology at their disposal.
The Financial and Operational Impact on Retail Businesses
Retailers have invested significantly in security measures, with expenditures reaching £1.8 billion annually on CCTV installations, additional security personnel, anti-theft devices and staff training programmes.
These security investments by retailers, while costly, are necessary to protect assets, ensure employee safety and maintain customer trust.
Data from CCTV and behaviour detection systems can also provide valuable insights beyond security. Retailers can analyse customer traffic patterns, optimise store layouts and adjust staffing levels based on the length of checkout queues or predicted peak shopping hours.
These insights into retail patterns contribute to overall business efficiency and demonstrate that security investments yield both security and operational benefits.
Future Developments in Retail Security
As technology evolves, the future of retail security will be shaped by advancements in AI, machine learning and integrated surveillance systems.
Predictive analytics will enable retailers to anticipate crime hotspots, while biometric authentication may replace traditional security measures for better access control.
Collaboration between the retail industry, law enforcement and technology providers is crucial to combat the surge in retail crime.
Enhanced data sharing, standardised reporting mechanisms and continued innovation in surveillance technology will help create a safer shopping environment for both employees and customers.
Conclusion
The increasing threat of retail crime demands a multifaceted approach that combines traditional security measures with advanced technological solutions.
CCTV systems, behaviour detection analytics and video redaction tools are essential in deterring criminal activities, as they provide critical evidence and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
By leveraging the latest security technologies, retailers can enhance security, minimise financial losses and create a safer retail landscape for all stakeholders.
Only through industry collaboration and continued investment in innovative security solutions can the escalating crime crisis in retail be effectively addressed.
Facit Video Redaction and Analytics Tools for Retailers
Facit’s ai-driven tools for retailers are designed to protect revenues by detecting and deterring crime, and to boost revenues by helping retailers to optimise their operations.
Our comprehensive retail solutions range from smart queue management and trolley analytics to video redaction compliance tools.
Get in touch to learn more about Facit’s fast, reliable cost-effective retail tools that can be integrated with your installed CCTV and business systems.
