Following the recent publication of the results derived from the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Retail Crime Survey 2011, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is reminding retailers that the sector’s fight against crime is very much ongoing.
Ensuring that the security measures employed for the protection of staff, goods and premises are of good quality and reliable must be high on the agenda of businesses operating in the sector across the coming year and beyond.
Published on the BRC’s website in January, the study findings show that, in 2011, burglaries accounted for 5.8% of retail crime by value. The average cost per incident is up by 83% since 2010, reaching an average of GB pound 2,093.
This statistic must be evaluated in relation to a 42% reduction in the overall number of burglary offences that have taken place at the expense of retailers in the past year.
In addition, the August riots of 2011 exerted additional pressures on the sector, costing those retailers surveyed an estimated GB pound 18.3 million.
Effective installation and monitoring
Commenting on the figures, James Kelly – the BSIA’s CEO – explained: “Security breaches affect retailers in a number of ways, leaving them to deal with distressed staff, financial losses and damage to premises that can lead to unplanned downtime and business interruptions.”
Kelly went on to state: “Time and again, CCTV equipment, physical security, security guarding, intruder alarms and access control systems such as item tags have 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.”
Most importantly, Kelly stressed that these solutions must also be supplied by trusted and professional security companies.
“Unfortunately, however, in times of financial pressure it could be tempting for retailers to choose their security suppliers on the basis of cost alone, therefore overlooking the quality and long-term viability of the product or service provided.”
Looking at CCTV as an example, there’s no doubt that the technology has played an important role in the identification and conviction of many of the people responsible for the August riots in 2011.
That said, Kelly believes that in order for CCTV footage to make such a positive contribution to investigations, due consideration must always be given to the quality of the product and the way in which it’s installed and maintained.
“Camera positioning, lighting and quality settings, for example,” asserted the BSIA’s leader, “are all key towards ensuring the images produced are clear and of sufficient quality to allow the successful identification of the culprits.”
Investment in lone worker security
The BSIA also advises retailers to consider investing in lone worker security for the areas where staff are often left working without direct access to colleagues or supervision.
“According to the BRC’s findings, at least 35,313 retail staff suffered from threats, verbal or physical abuse in the last year,” stated Kelly. “This type of attack is more likely to occur in environments where lone working takes place, such as on night-time shifts in smaller retail outlets. Retailers should therefore consider introducing lone worker security strategies where appropriate.”
Throughout the years, security practitioners have worked with the police service and end users to develop a combination of practice, technology and standards capable of providing an effective – and cost-effective – solution to aid lone workers. This has resulted in the development of lone worker devices equipped with mobile phone technology that connect employees quickly and discreetly with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police.
Kelly outlined: “I’m pleased to say that a number of products are commercially available from BSIA member companies.”
If you would like more information on lone worker security, the BSIA has published two guides which provide both employers and lone workers themselves with easy-to-follow advice.
Lone Workers: An Employer’s Guide informs employers about what to look for when sourcing a supplier, and can be downloaded free of charge.
For employees whose role requires them to work alone, the BSIA has produced a separate guide entitled: Lone Workers: An Employee’s Guide which can also be downloaded free by visiting the BSIA’s website.
BSIA member helps secure seven-year sentence for Cash-in-Transit robber
A robber who attacked a cash delivery courier outside a Manchester hotel has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after he was arrested thanks to unique taggant technology provided by a BSIA Cash and Property Marking Section member.
Michael McKeown (from Audenshaw in Greater Manchester) stole a cashbox containing GB pound 8,000 from a Cash-in-Transit courier outside the Village Hotel in Hyde last July.
McKeown, who wore a mask during the raid, kicked the courier to the ground and made off with the cashbox, escaping in a blue Land Rover Freelander.
Police arrived at the scene and, within an hour, had recovered the abandoned Land Rover (which had been fitted with false number plates) and the emptied cashbox.
Using Automatic Number Place Recognition (ANPR) technology, police quickly established the Land Rover had been stolen during a burglary two days previously. Police intelligence also linked the burglary to silver Renault Clio that was known to have been used by McKeown.
McKeown, who was on licence for robbery at the time, was stopped by officers driving the silver Clio approximately two hours later. He was arrested and his clothing seized after traces of dye, believed to be from the stolen cashbox, were found on a jacket he was wearing at the time.
The jacket and dye-stained banknotes found on McKeown were subsequently sent for forensic analysis. Thanks to unique taggant technology, the dye was positively identified as coming from the same cashbox stolen outside the Village Hotel.
Fantastic teamwork and security solution
Detective inspector Dave Moores from Tameside CID said: “McKeown’s arrest was the result of some fantastic teamwork by officers from the ANPR team and Tameside CID, so much so that McKeown had not even had a chance to change his clothes when we caught up with him.”
DI Moores continued: “Due to the speed of that arrest we were able to swab the clothing McKeown was wearing during the robbery and match it to the unique code within the SmartWater ink. This is a great tool for ensuring criminals cannot benefit when they commit Cash-in-Transit robberies.”
James Kelly said: “The BSIA welcomes this sentence which sends a clear message to any would-be criminals who may be considering future crimes. The BSIA has always worked closely with all police forces, and our thanks go to Tameside officers for their dedication in bringing this man to justice.”
Ashley Bailey, chairman of the BSIA’s Cash and Valuables in Transit (CVIT) Section, explained: “This sentencing provides another reminder of the serious nature of Cash-in-Transit robbery. The security industry remains committed to its ongoing partnership with Government and the police to combat this serious crime. Thanks to advances in technology, criminals now stand a significant chance of being caught and prosecuted.”
For more information about the BSIA’s CVIT Section visit its dedicated web pages
The Big Issue: Secure your early bird booking rate for 2012’s Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference
Following the great success of the BSIA’s Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in June 2011, the Trade Association is pleased to announce that the event is returning on 30 May 2012.
This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision-makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material. The conference programme will cover a wide range of topics outlined by expert key speakers while a comprehensive exhibition affords delegates an opportunity to see a host of products and services related to the industry.
Taking place in the centrally-located venue of Birmingham’s National Motorcyle Museum, the event has proven extremely popular in recent years and, as such, it’s advisable to book early to secure your place.
An early bird discount is available for those booking prior to 29 February 2012. The booking form can be found here.
Both BSIA members and non-members are welcome to attend.
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the British Security Industry Association
