The Surge in Shoplifting and Its Impact on Retailers
Shoplifting is at an all-time high in the UK, with The Guardian reporting that retailers experience around 55,000 thefts per day.
Economic pressures and the rise of organised retail crime are fuelling this shoplifting crisis, leaving many shop owners struggling to safeguard their businesses.
Whether it's opportunistic theft or premeditated shoplifting, retailers must take proactive steps to protect their stock and staff.
In this article, we look at some of the practical steps that the retail sector can take to detect and reduce theft, and at the same time consider the balancing act required to ensure that anti-crime measures do not infringe people's privacy rights.
What is the Government's Response to Retail Crime?
In response to rising retail theft, the UK government introduced the Retail Crime Action Plan which prioritises police responses to shoplifting.
In October 2023, the police announced:
“Policing received 274,000 reports of retail theft in the financial year 2022 – 2023. It should also be observed that retail theft is sometimes accompanied by assaults and threats of violence by offenders. In light of the present levels of retail crime, it has been recognised that to make improvements there is a necessity to develop a robust partnership approach between policing and all retailers.”
Measures like facial recognition technology and increased police engagement are aimed at curbing theft.
However, these anti-shoplifting initiatives spark debates around privacy concerns and whether small businesses benefit equally compared to large retailers.
Independent Retailers Demand More Support
Independent retailers are calling for greater government support, including grants for security upgrades.
Many small business owners struggle to afford CCTV, body-worn cameras and product tagging systems, which leaves them vulnerable to theft.
Without financial aid, independent retailers risk bearing the full burden of retail crime prevention alone.
Tips for Preventing Shoplifting
Train Your Staff to Spot Suspicious Behaviour
One of the most effective ways to deter shoplifters is to train employees to recognise common tactics.
Shoplifters often exhibit nervous behaviour, wear bulky clothing to conceal items, or use distraction techniques with multiple people.
Providing staff with shoplifting prevention training empowers them to act quickly and confidently in suspected theft situations.
Can Customer Service Act as a Deterrent?
Retailers can use customer service as a natural deterrent. The three-to-five-second rule – i.e., greeting customers as soon as they enter a shop - helps to discourage theft.
A simple "Hello! Can I help you?" makes potential shoplifters feel watched and increases the likelihood that they'll leave empty-handed.
Store Layout and Crime Mapping
Understanding theft patterns can help businesses to redesign store layouts to reduce theft.
Crime mapping enables retailers to pinpoint high-risk areas and adjust lighting, shelving and staff placement accordingly.
Keeping high-theft zones in high-visibility areas helps to deter shoplifters.
Secure High-Risk Products
Certain products - such as medicines, baby formula and cosmetics - are frequent targets for shoplifters.
Placing items known to be targets for shoplifters near checkout counters, in locked displays or under employee supervision reduces theft risks.
Using electronic tagging for high-value goods also adds an extra layer of protection.
Police Advice on Preventing Shoplifters
The police offer practical advice, on the police.uk website, which includes simple matters such as keeping stores tidy, and recommendations on electronic article surveillance.
The police are of course important in anti-shoplifting initiatives. The police force suggests: "Whether you're a shop owner or a floor manager in a department store, we're here to offer you advice to help you protect your livelihood.
Install CCTV, Mirrors and Body-Worn Cameras
CCTV cameras, convex mirrors and body-worn cameras are essential tools for retail theft prevention.
Not only do they deter shoplifters, but they also provide valuable evidence in case of a dispute or criminal charges.
Body-worn cameras for police officers have proven effective in reducing aggressive behaviour and retailers are increasingly deploying the same technology to protect their staff, reduce conflict and deter criminals.
Case Studies: How Retailers Are Using Technology to Prevent Theft
Monitoring Goods-In Theft at Bicester
Retailers in Bicester have successfully used body-worn cameras to prevent internal theft during stock deliveries.
By recording goods-in transactions, they ensure accurate inventory management and deter employee theft.
Kingston Technology vs Amazon: Proving Goods Weren’t Damaged
Kingston Technology used Facit's video redaction software to dispute damage claims with Amason.
By reviewing security footage in a compliant manner, Kingston Technology demonstrated that products left their warehouse in perfect condition, which helped to save thousands of pounds in unnecessary refunds.
Why are body-worn cameras and video redaction essential for retailers?
Body-worn cameras (BWC) offer a twofold benefit:
BWC provide indisputable evidence in cases of theft
BWC protect staff from violent incidents
However, privacy regulations require businesses to redact footage before sharing it with third parties. That is, everyone but the subject of interest must be obscured or removed to protect their privacy and personal data.
The increased use of body-worn cameras has led to a commensurate rise in subject access requests, as people are fully aware that they are being filmed. When video footage is requested, the retailer must remove reference to other shoppers and bystanders in order to share the video compliantly.
Facit's video redaction software ensures compliance with data protection laws while maintaining security that is so important to retailers.
How can Facit help Protect your Business?
Investing in Facit's BWC and CCTV video redaction software can help to reduce shoplifting and theft risks, and safeguard your stock and your employees.
Want to see how video redaction works? Request a demo today and take a positive step to strengthen your retail security.
FAQs
How long do stores keep camera footage?
Most retailers store CCTV footage for 30–90 days, depending on storage capacity and local regulations.
Do store cameras have facial recognition?
Some retailers use facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders, but its use is debated owing to privacy concerns and ethical considerations. The debate about facial recognition, intrusion and privacy rights is serious and ongoing, which is why facial recognition is not deployed as a standard anti-theft measure.
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