BSIA: Improved security measures are crucial for reductions in retail crime

Following the publication of the results from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Crime Survey 2010, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) urges retailers to up their game in the fight against retail crime by improving their in-store security and seeking advice from reputable security companies.

The survey results, released earlier this week, show that the total value of goods stolen by customers has increased to £137million in 2010. This comes in spite of an 11% reduction in the overall number of offences that have taken place at the expense of retailers in the past year, and a reported increase in investments made by retailers to secure premises. This means more needs to be done by law authorities to reduce the impact of retail crime, and that full use of the potential of in-store security measures such as CCTV, manned guarding and access control must be made.

Security breaches bear a great cost to retailers, who, in addition to suffering financial losses, have to deal with business interruptions and unplanned downtime, as well as staff left shaken and distressed by the experience. James Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the trade association for the private security industry in the UK, commented on these results: "In the retail environment, robust security measures are powerful in deterring criminals from attacking premises, ensuring immediate Police response and facilitating the conviction of offenders, by providing the Force with hard evidence. The fact that the survey shows a reduction in the number of offences from 2009 means that the increased investments made by retailers to secure their businesses in the last year is starting to make a difference in lessening the impact of this type of crime. However it is alarming to discover that there has been a considerable increase in the total value of the goods stolen."

James continues, "As the first step towards improving these figures, we urge all retailers to protect their premises, goods, staff and customers by seeking expert advice and improving their in-store security by turning to reliable suppliers. CCTV equipment, manned guarding and access control systems such as item tags have time and again proven invaluable in deterring criminals and responding more effectively to offences, but to get the most out of these systems they must be properly installed and monitored."

"BSIA members meet strict quality criteria and have long been successfully supplying security products to retailers. Their expertise in the industry means that they are also able to provide valuable advice on which security measure will be suited to each premise; a great asset for retailers at a time when crime is having such a negative impact on their businesses."