Statistics reveal that, in England and Wales, there were approximately 274,999 shoplifting offences recorded during 2021/22 – a figure that has been steadily increasing to numbers not seen in the UK for over ten years. By putting security measures in place, you’re more likely to avoid the potentially devastating consequences that come with letting individuals get away with crime – both from a financial and emotional standpoint. To help keep your store
Secure entrances
Investing in robust industrial doors is a surefire way to keep your store protected round the clock – and with a variety of different designs for you to choose from, you can easily find one that best suits your premises. From industrial roller shutters – which keep intruders out and prevent any damage to your store, thanks to the strong materials used in their construction – to steel security doors that offer incomparable safety and strength, these industrial doors can cater to a whole host of industries.
CCTV
CCTV cameras are another major shoplifting deterrent that will certainly benefit your store by keeping a constant eye on any potential threats. By cleverly positioning these cameras in areas that are particularly at risk, or using them to cover any blind spots in your store, you’re more likely to stop a shoplifter in their tracks, or catch them in action. If you do fall victim to shoplifting, the footage collected can be used as police evidence – allowing crimes to be solved much faster. Don’t forget to put up plenty of signage too, so that individuals know they’re on camera.
Security guards
Similar to security cameras, security guards can act as your all seeing eyes to help keep your store safe. Not only this, if they do spot a suspicious individual, or notice shoplifting taking place, they can act immediately to prevent things from escalating.
Organised changing rooms
By keeping your store’s changing rooms organised, you can ensure that no shoplifting occurs there – which is especially important given that these areas are more hidden away, thus making them a prime spot for removing tags and pinching items. To avoid this from happening, make sure that you have a member of staff watching over the entrance to the changing rooms constantly, and keep tabs on how many items individuals are taking in there. This way, your staff will spot if something goes missing straight away.
Staff training
To maintain a working culture that takes security seriously, it’s essential that you provide training to new members of staff, as well as refresher training to those who have been there long-term if your store undergoes any significant changes. This way, your staff will know what to look out for, and how to act if they catch someone shoplifting.
Improve store layout
Improving your store’s layout can also reduce the risk of crime – but what are the key factors to bear in mind? This could include moving valuable items closer to the tills so staff can keep a constant eye on them, reducing the number of blind spots – or installing CCTV cameras or security mirrors in these areas to improve visibility – and keeping checkouts close to entrances and exits to ensure that all customers pass by them on their way out of the store. This way, your staff will be able to see whether an individual has attempted shoplifting at the store.
Stock takes
Staying on top of inventory management will also reduce the risk of theft, which can be done by using POS systems. These help staff to track stock and look out for any patterns of loss, consequently enabling store managers to take action. For example, the software could reveal that a large quantity of a particular item has gone missing over the past month, suggesting that they might need to be placed in a high visibility area instead.
Whether you’re looking to enhance security in your retail store, or you’re in another industry and would like to find out how our collection of industrial doors could help you, get in touch with our team today. We have a number of different designs available to best suit your premises, so you can ensure that you stay protected from crime.
