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Tackling Retail Crime with Advanced Retail Security Solutions
By Chubb | 29th May 2025
Retail crime in the UK has escalated to unprecedented levels, posing a significant challenge for store owners and safety for employees and customers alike. With the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reporting a record-breaking rise in incidents, the need for advanced, robust security solutions has never been more pressing. As businesses tackle these rising threats, innovative technologies, particularly AI-powered CCTV systems, are becoming key to pre-emptive retail security and loss prevention strategies.
The current state of retail crime
According to the latest BRC Retail Crime Survey, the UK saw over 20 million incidents of theft in 2024, marking an increase from 16 million the previous year, with a daily average of 55,000 incidents. This surge is not only a reflection of increasing theft but also an escalation in violence and abuse towards retail staff. Reports indicate that incidents involving threats or actual violence have risen dramatically, including serious assaults with weapons occurring as frequently as 70 times per day.
The financial implications are equally staggering, with losses from customer theft alone reaching approximately £2.2 billion for the year. Despite retailers investing a record £1.8 billion in crime prevention strategies such as enhanced CCTV, security staff and anti-theft devices, the total cost attributed to retail crime soared to £4.2 billion.
These figures highlight a desperate need for effective solutions that can not only deter but also help manage and respond to these incidents more effectively. Consequently, there is a notable trend toward using technology to both document crime and proactively prevent it.
UK laws on retail crime
Given the overwhelming escalation of retail crime and its financial burden, the government’s move to enact tougher legislation comes at a critical time.
The Labour Government has pledged to introduce stronger measures to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. On 25th February 2025 Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill, which includes tougher laws on retail crime was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Reading.
The current laws deprioritise shoplifting theft under £200 and make it a summary only offence, meaning it can only be heard in magistrates court. The Bill escalates retail crime prevention, encompassing over 50 measures including stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and making it a new offence to assault a shop worker. It also contains new “Respect Orders”, which are reminiscent of the Anti-social Behaviour Orders introduced by the last Labour government before it was abolished in 2014.
MPs will next consider the Bill at a Second Reading, the date for which has not yet been announced.
The role of AI in crime prevention
As the UK government introduces tougher legislation to combat retail crime, the role of AI in crime prevention becomes essential, offering cutting-edge solutions that align with and bolster these legal frameworks to ensure a safer retail environment.
AI-powered CCTV systems are revolutionising retail security by utilising advanced algorithms to analyse video feeds in real time. These systems detect patterns and movements that typically precede criminal actions, such as loitering or unusual navigation through store aisles. By identifying these potential threats before they spiral into actual crimes, AI technology acts as a proactive measure in deterring shoplifting and other forms of retail crime. The effectiveness of such systems in predicting and preventing crime offers a transformative tool for retailers, blending technology with traditional security measures to create a more secure shopping environment.
Advanced security solutions
At Chubb, our comprehensive approach to retail security caters to a wide range of retail settings, from individual stores to extensive national chains. Our integrated security solutions are designed to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency across various environments. To address compliance issues, Chubb ensures all security systems meet rigorous insurance and legal standards, therefore reducing the risk of penalties and operational disruptions.
By using advanced CCTV systems equipped with behavioural analysis technology, Chubb provides more than conventional surveillance. These systems enable real-time monitoring and instant alerts to security staff about potential breaches or unauthorised activities, which are crucial for preventing theft and maintaining safety. This real-time monitoring capability seamlessly integrates with data analytics to offer insights into customer behaviour, supporting effective staff deployment and optimisation of store layouts based on foot traffic patterns. These analytics are vital for addressing high shrinkage rates by helping retailers develop strategies that enhance customer service and increase sales.
In terms of physical security, Chubb’s sophisticated access control systems ensure that only authorised staff can access sensitive areas like stock rooms, thereby securing high-value inventory effectively. These systems, combined with Chubb’s intruder alarms, form a robust security setup that not only prevents unauthorised access but also ensures rapid response to any security incidents.
Adding another layer of security, Chubb’s solutions include Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition technologies. These advanced features are essential for the early identification of known offenders, preventing them from entering the premises and enhancing overall store security.
Our remote monitoring solutions also play a crucial role by providing real-time insights, which allow for quick responses to potential threats without the high costs associated with traditional manned guarding. Connected to Chubb’s state-of-the-art Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), all security systems ensure round-the-clock surveillance and the ability to initiate emergency responses when necessary. This continuous monitoring guarantees that any incidents are addressed immediately, offering peace of mind to both retailers and customers.
Furthermore, our national and strategic accounts team is known for their best-in-class customer service and dedicated account management, addressing common issues around inefficient account management often experienced with other suppliers. This team prioritises your needs to ensure you receive the required support to operate efficiently.
Ultimately, Chubb’s all-in-one approach allows retailers to manage fragmented solutions more effectively. By consolidating various security services under one provider, our approach simplifies supply chain management and reduces the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors, thus enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Enhancing wholesale retail security
One notable example of Chubb’s effective security solutions in action is its long-term partnership with Bestway Wholesale, one of the UK’s leading wholesale retailers. Since 2009, Bestway Wholesale has relied on Chubb to provide comprehensive security services across its extensive network of 65 warehouses and 180 retail stores throughout the UK.
Before collaborating with Chubb, Bestway Wholesale faced challenges managing multiple security providers, which led to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in its security measures. Chubb was selected to streamline and enhance the security solutions across all Bestway locations, addressing the need for a reliable and cohesive security strategy that could adapt to the fast-paced retail environment.
Chubb implemented a fully integrated security system that includes intruder alarms, CCTV and access control, all monitored and maintained by a dedicated account manager and expert engineer. This integration has not only ensured a high level of security but also offered significant operational benefits:
- Consolidation of Services: By managing all security services, Chubb has saved Bestway time and money, eliminating the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors.
- Enhanced Monitoring: All sites are connected to Chubb’s NSI-Gold accredited monitoring centre, providing 24/7 surveillance and ensuring that any incidents are promptly addressed.
- Custom Monitoring Solutions: Chubb developed a bespoke monitoring solution tailored to Bestway’s needs, capable of differentiating the severity of incidents and informing the appropriate response, whether remote access, on-site attendance or emergency services dispatch.
- Reduced Insurance Premiums: The robust security framework has also helped Bestway to lower its insurance costs, thanks to the decreased risk associated with better protected premises.
The partnership with Chubb has not only enhanced the security of Bestway Wholesale’s operations but also contributed to a safer working environment for employees and improved safeguarding of valuable stock and property. This case highlights how Chubb’s tailored security solutions can be adapted to meet the specific needs of large retail and wholesale operators, ensuring peace of mind and significant business efficiencies.
